Jos Lansink wins rich Abu Dhabi GP
Published: 02-07-2010 Belgium's Jos Lansink has galloped off with top honours in one of the world's richest showjumping Grand Prix, taking home €90,000 for winning the President of the UAE Cup in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
Riding his Gucci Masters winner Valentina van't Heike, the World Champion rode a perfect jumpoff round to prevail in the rich event, which carried a total prize pool of €300,000. It is among the richest Grand Prix events in the world, exceeded only by the Global Champions Tour shows and the CN Grand Prix in Canada.
To ensure the huge prize was well earned Olaf Petersen Snr had built a course full of technical turns rather than tricky distances, making this a true test of rider skill.
At the end of the first round there were 11 qualified for the jump off and biggest casualty of the first round was Clarissa Crotta whose West Side van Meerputhoeve got into a bit of trouble coming out of a one-stride double at six which consisted of a wall to an oxer, and jumped his rider off. The Swiss team member appeared to land on her feet but was taken to hospital for an xray of her ankle. At time of writing there was no more news of the extent of her injury.
Lansink was fourth to go and took the lead with a speedy 36.43 over the shortened course. He judged his round perfectly as those who went faster, faulted. The last fence was the bogey, ruining the chances of Billy Twomey, Cameron Hanley, Rolf Goran Bengsston and Robert Smith, but Lars Neiburg and Ben Maher steered Lord Luis and Robin Hood W respectively round clean to take second and third. Abdel Said did the Gulf states proud by coming fourth on Avenir.
Michel Hecart struck a blow for France in the opening speed class when winning the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club Prize worth €10,000 to the winner. Another on his first visit to the Gulf, Hecart has been impressed by the show and its facilities. "But for me I like to come here because it is outdoors. My horse is much better out than in. Although it was a long journey and I think my horse was tired on the first day but Norton de Vains seems OK today. We would have liked to send a French team but this is the same week as Bordeaux and by the time we realised enough riders were prepared to come, it was too late to change plans."
Juan Carlos Garcia continued his outstanding season and made up for a rare off day in the Nations Cup by taking second on Paulin. Great Britain's Robert Smith, who has been placed in almost every class here, was third on Raging Bull Vangelis.
Results
Class 5 The Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club Prize. 1. Michel Hecart (FRA), 0,56.04, €10'000. 2. Juan Carlos Garcia (ITA) Paulin, 0,56.59, €7000, 3. Robert Smith (GBR) Raging Bull Vangelis, 0,57.54, €4500.
Class 6 The Emaar President of the UAE Showjumping Cup. 1. Jos Lansink (BEL) Valentina van't Heike, 0,0,36.43, €90'000. 2. Lars Neiburg (GER) Lord Luis, 0,0,36.62, €60'000. 3. Ben Maher (GBR) 0,0, 36.69, €40'000. 4. Abdelkader Said (EGY) Avenir, 0,0,37.19, €30'000.
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