17 of the 46 starters in the Longines Grand Prix de Basel (160 cm) found themselves at the jump-off this Friday evening and, to compensate a little, the Lachat-Bodo tandem had concocted a fairly selective, technical and delicate final route. At the finish, only five couples achieved a double clear round.
The victory was for the No 1 world Henrik von Eckermann, who hit the no 2, an oxer, but signed an excellent time (38’68) with the leaper Iliana. There was still Simon Delestre to come, but he was going to fail on the post with Dexter Fontenis Zfor 33 hundredths. The joy of the winner was reinforced by the 6e in place of his wife, Janika Sprunger, who preferred to ensure with Orelie (1 pt of time).
Starting at the start of the jump-off, Steve Guerdat could have made everyone agree without the fault of the fine and elegant Lancelotta on a vertical placed in a delicate turn. At the finish, 37’45, 1.23 seconds ahead, but one bar and 7e final rank. Even Richard Vogel and United Touch S8esconceded more than a second on them, that’s saying something! Revenge on Sunday in the GP World Cup (from 2:15 p.m. on rtssport.ch, from 2:35 p.m. on RTS2) or not?
A fault also in the jump-off for Alain Jufer and Dante MM (on the last one!), ranked 10esRomain Duguet and Hunger Games du Champ du Boisvery regular and 12esDominik Fuhrer et Ghost II, 15esAdrian Schmid et Chicharito16es.
Two Swiss victories in the curtain-raiser…
Niklaus Rutschi won the Land Rover Discovery Prize (145 cm) with Amar des Brimbelles Z, in front… Simon Delestre, Adrian Schmid, Barbara Schnieper and Jason Smith.
As for Gaëtan Joliat, he won the -25 event with Chelsea Zdéjà 3e the day before, and Jonas Tiefenauer was 3e.
In dressage, Isabell Werth won the Grand Prix with DSP Quantaz (76.239%), ahead of the Norwegian Isabel Freese (Total Hope OLD), Frederic Wandres (Bluetooth OLD) and Pauline Basqin (Sertorius de Rima Z). Charlotte Rogerson (Tamora) 9eJessica Neuhauser (Rockson) 10e. Kür World Cup this Saturday from 2:15 p.m.
Alban Poudret
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