McLain Ward & Rothchild (Stefano Grasso/LGCT)

Antwerp, Belgium - McLain Ward (USA) and Rothchild blasted to the top of the new season ranking winning the Longines Global Champions Tour of Antwerp Grand Prix in front of a buzzing, sell-out crowd this evening. Second place went to LGCT fan favourite Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) with Casall ASK and third to a thrilled Constant van Paesschen (BEL) with Citizenguard Toscan de Sainte. The first leg of the prestigious LGCT series was a truly exciting class where the technical demands of course designer Luc Musette really sorted the best from this world-class field.

It was a stunning start to the Championship series that brings equestrian sport to the heart of city centres around the world, from Antwerp to Shanghai and London to Paris.The floodlit Antwerp show ground was buzzing with a party atmosphere, full grandstands and several thousand guests enjoying champagne and first class VIP dining. As long boats cruised along the wide River Scheldt only a few metres from the edge of the arena, the Championship race got underway with Olympic and World Champion riders competing for a €300,000 prize fund. The tough track saw just fives riders through to the final jump-off with everything to play for.

First to go in the final round, it was a welcome return from injury for Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) who set the standard with a beautiful clear in 37.33. Bassem Hassan Mohammed (QAT) put in one of the best performances of his career with Primeval Dejavu jumping a treble clear with a jump-off time of 38.38 to finish fourth.
Third to go and favourite to take the win tonight after winning two classes over the last three days, Penelope Leprevost (FRA) and Nayana started at a swift pace looking determined to beat Rolf’s time, but they lowered a tall vertical across the middle of the arena for four faults in a fast time of 35.73.

McLain Ward and Rothchild were the penultimate pair to compete and shaved a narrow 0.21s off Bengtsson’s time with an impressive 37.12. Constant van Paesschen (BEL) had pole position as last to go in the jump-off, but his big-jumping careful mount Citizenguard Toscan de Sainte was not quite quick enough to catch McLain and he stopped the clock at 37.93 to land third.

PRESS CONFERENCE

McLain Ward (winner): “Belgium is my ‘home away from home’ - I always stay with Francois Mathy, so it’s extra special to win here. Competing in Palm Beach all winter the level has got very good, we were lucky to have the top two riders in the world there this year, so it’s good preparation. But the best competition is here in Europe still, and always the LGCT presents some of the best riders in the world, and it’s always a great challenge.”

“Rothchild is much easier to ride than he looks, he’s a bit feisty and he has his own jumping style. I’ve had him six years and he started as a second horse for me, but a good campaigner, and last year I was a little short of horse stock and I needed him to step up and he’s really been wonderful. He gives me everything he has and he’s my friend - I appreciate him very much.”