Irish Success on the Rock: Longines Global Champions Tour de Monaco
The first strides, the first jumps, the first emotions, and the first winners. The 2023 edition of the Jumping International de Monte-Carlo, the ninth stage of the prestigious Longines Global Champions Tour, opened this morning on the track of Port Hercule under the Riviera sun. The star of the day, Irish rider Denis Lynch, claimed victory in the Prix de la Fédération Équestre de la Principauté de Monaco, a major event on this Thursday, which also featured the Longines Pro Am Cup Monaco and celebrated the 60th anniversary of the AMADE association. The world's best riders will gather for the two legs of the GCL starting tomorrow.
The Prix de la Fédération Équestre de la Principauté de Monaco was the highlight of the day. On the course designed by Italian course designer Uliano Vezzani, Irish rider Denis Lynch found the right option on the final obstacles to clock the fastest time. Partnered with Cornets Iberio, an 11-year-old stallion by Cornet Obolensky, who had already won an impressive event last Sunday in Paris during the previous stage of the Longines Global Champions Tour, Lynch finished 62 hundredths of a second ahead of Brazilian Francisco José Mesquita Musa with Catch me Marathon, and nearly two seconds ahead of another Irish rider, Richard Howley, on Mansini Ltd. Lynch, ranked 31st globally, commented, "Cornet is a very fast horse. I had seen during the reconnaissance that there might be a way to save time towards the end of the course. Winning early in the competition gives confidence to both the horse and the rider!" Brazilian Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (Heureuse Nouvelle WH), ranked 10th in the world, finished just off the podium, ahead of the ever-competitive John Whitaker (Sharid), who is almost 68 years old!
Earlier in the afternoon, Philippe Rozier, Olympic team champion in Rio, riding his stallion Le Coultre de Muze, thought he had won the two-phase event at 1.45 meters. However, he was eventually surpassed by Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Alsharbatly, a team bronze medalist at the 2012 Olympics and the 2010 world vice-champion, on Dancing Wolf O.L. Alsharbatly, who was nearly last to start, took incredible risks and shortened his strides between almost every obstacle, resulting in a three-second lead over the Frenchman for the victory.
The Longines Pro Am Cup Monaco celebrated the 60th anniversary of the AMADE association
As the closing event of the first day of competition, ten pairs participated in the Longines Pro-Am Cup, an eagerly anticipated and appreciated event by the Monegasque audience. Established in 2010 and sponsored by Mrs. Charlotte Casiraghi, the event brings together a confirmed amateur and an international star in the same team. Several top champions, including Philippe Rozier, Swedish rider Angelica Augutsson Zanotelli, Swiss rider Jane Richard, and Mexico's number one, Nicolas Pizzaro (ranked 41st globally), willingly participated. Each pair represented the colors of a sponsor on a relay course specially designed based on the level and experience of the two riders (1.10 meters for the amateur rider; 1.30 meters for the professional). The victory went to Alex O'Connor / Kingsborough Verdiva (Am) and Sean Monaghan / A.N. Cassius (Pro), competing for The Underwriting Exchange.
The 2023 edition took on even greater significance with the 60th anniversary of the AMADE association (World Association of Children's Friends), presided over by SAR The Princess of Hanover. Founded in 1963 by Princess Grace of Monaco, this association advocates for a world where every child, regardless of their social, religious, or cultural background, can live with dignity, safety, and in respect of their fundamental rights.
After this charitable event, a donation of €25,000 was presented to Jérôme Froissard, Secretary-General of AMADE, by Mrs. Diane Fissore, President of the Jumping International de Monte-Carlo.
CSI 2*: Brazil, France, and Monaco on the Honors List
In the biggest event of the CSI 2* (two-phase, 1.40 meters), Brazilian Felipe Coutinho Mendonca Nagata, riding Monseigneur, claimed victory ahead of British rider George Whitaker (nephew of John Whitaker) on Peanut and Dutch rider Piet Raijmakers Jr on Van Schijndel's Olaya Z. Louise Sadran on Blue Magic du Borget was the top French rider, finishing in 7th place. Monégasque rider Anastasia Nielsen, with Beau van de Hagenhorst Z, also finished in the top 10.
Earlier in the day, French rider Aurore Dubus (Dolce des Hates) won the two-phase event at 1.25 meters, and 15-year-old Monégasque rider Marie Eder Ferrero claimed victory in the 1.10-meter event, riding Jina van't Athof.
The GCL, the highlight of Friday, June 30th
On Friday, the day will start at 9 a.m. with three CSI 2* events, followed in the early afternoon by two events from the National Equestrian Federation of the Principality of Monaco - Cavalleria Toscana. At 4:30 p.m., the CSI 5* riders will take over the Port Hercule track for the Casino Monte-Carlo Trophy (1.55 meters), the first leg of the GCL, a team competition featuring two or three riders.
Following the presentation of the riders selected to represent Monaco at the upcoming European Youth Championships in Gorla Minore, Italy, from July 10 to 16, the world's top stars will gather at 8 p.m. for the second leg of the GCL. In addition to the team ranking, the goal is to finish in the top 40 individually, which qualifies riders for Saturday's Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco, with a prize purse of 1.5 million euros.