And suddenly, astonishment struck Palexpo. The hopes of victory for Martin Fuchs (32) at the Grand Prix of the Geneva International Horse Show were dashed in an instant this Sunday. With an impeccable first pass with his faithful “Leone Jei”, without the slightest fault, the Zurich native had great ambitions for the decisive jump-off.
The third rider to set off, he saw his dream of the coronation shattered at the same time as the obstacle bar from the second jump. The clock had then been running for just over 6 seconds. In the process, the duo made a second mistake on obstacle No. 3. Cruel disillusionment.
The only Swiss qualified for the jump-off, Martin Fuchs finished 8th and therefore failed to win the prestigious Geneva competition a third time, after 2019 and 2021. A disappointment mitigated by his first place in the top 10 final on Friday.
On Sunday, the trophy went to Harrie Smolders. The Dutchman and “Monaco” completed the two courses without a hitch, like the Italian Giulia Martinengo Marquet (on “Delta Del’isle”) and the Belgian Gilles Thomas (on “Ermitage Kalone”), but they showed themselves the most fast in the jump-off (41”74 against 43”75 and 44”77 for his competitors). At 44, Smolders – World No. 23 – wins a major for the first time in his career.
Triple winner of the Grand Prix (in 2006, 2013 and 2015), Steve Guerdat (42 years old) did not overcome the pitfall of the first round. Sensing that “Dynamix de Belheme” was in trouble, the Jura native preferred to withdraw midway through the race after having already made two mistakes.
Local of the stage, the Genevan Edouard Schmitz (25 years old) took the final 14th place with “Gamin Van’t Naastveldhof”.
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