Hans-Dieter Dreher & Magnus Romeo (Alan Davidson/GCT)
The competition was a testament to the exceptionally high calibre of GCT events with many riders bound for the Olympics choosing to make their final public appearance in Chantilly to prepare for the Games.
Hans-Dieter Dreher of Germany, riding his dark bay stallion Magnus Romeo, eventually triumphed after a Grand Prix full of exciting twists and turns. Dreher was up against a brilliant time of 39.15 set by Beezie Madden of the USA and despite a small slip after one of the last verticals he still managed to gallop home in 38.82.
Madden, who is off to the Olympics and won the GCT Grand Prix in Valkenswaard last year, rode three superb rounds on her impressive gelding Simon and in the jump off she shaved off seconds with several tight turns before going flat out to the last.
In a sensational result Egyptian rider Karim El Zoghby on Splendor proved he has a serious talent after becoming one of only five riders to get through to the jump off. Zoghby, who will represent his country at the Olympics, had 4 faults in the jump off, but now has some important ranking points in his first GCT season.
With Nick Skelton, Christian Ahlmann and Denis Lynch finishing in 5th, 6th and 7th places the GCT ranking board (see www.globalchampionstour.com) has tightened up setting up a fresh sporting drama for the next event in Valkenswaard, the Netherlands, from August 17-19.
Press Conference Statements
Beezie Madden (USA)
Olympic preparation: This is a fantastic place to come. In order to stay on top form you have to compete amongst the best and that is why I came here.
Course: It was almost perfect for me because I nearly won. Uliano always does an excellent job.
Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER)
The course: The most difficult part was the last fence. He is always a bit spooky. But today he had not time to see it as we were fast. The first round was really, really difficult but there was more time to ride the fences in the second.
GCT ranking (19th): I hope I can ride all the GCT and qualify for Abu Dhabi at the end.
Course designed by Uliano Vezzani: For me it was perfect because I won!
Karim El Zoghby (EGY)
Result: I didn’t imagine I would be here. The horse belongs to a student of mine and he cancelled so I have only been riding (Splendor) for about two and a half to three weeks.
GCT competition: I would like to thank the organisers and fans because it has been a lot of fun. We had all the top riders, so I anticipated top competition.