Las Vegas, United States of America – November 17, 2018 – Just a week after topping the World Cup qualifier in Thermal (USA), Nayel Nassar (EGY) and his longtime partner Lordan led another victory gallop after clinching the $135,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Las Vegas (USA).

Nassar, 27, and his 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding ( Lordanos x Landor S) were fastest in a six-horse jump-off set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA). The pair used their natural foot speed and tidiness to their advantage, coming through the timers in 34.57 seconds, over a second fastest than their closest competitors. It was an international podium, with Wilhelm Genn (GER) and Bugatti (Heartbreaker x Pilot) earning runner-up honors after a clean run and stopping the timers in 35.73 seconds during the tiebreaker.

Harley Brown (AUS) & Mylord Cornet

Harley Brown (AUS) and Mylord Cornet (Montender 2 x Cornet Obolesky) finished third, backed by a penalty-free jump-off run in 40.34 seconds.

Nayel Nassar (EGY) & Lordan

“It was a fast jump-off,” Nassar said. “Wilhelm set a really tough time to beat, and he was really efficient everywhere on a horse that has a bigger stride than mine. I just knew I had to be nice and neat in the turns and not go too crazy down the long lines.”

The top three were the only combinations to turn in double-clear rounds on the evening. Brown was the first to navigate the jump-off without fault, but he was forced to take a more conservative route with his less experienced 8-year-old. Genn, who won Sacramento’s (USA) World Cup qualifier in October, jumped ahead by nearly four seconds with an outstanding right turn to the jump-off’s second fence and a bold gallop down to the final obstacle. As the last to go, Nassar knew exactly what he had to do to win his second straight World Cup qualifier, and he executed, despite having a precarious rub two fences from home.

Nayel Nassar (EGY) & Lordan during the awards ceremony

“I had the luck of the draw a little bit. I had the pole position coming in,” Nassar said. “It always helps when you know what you need to do, and I relish the pressure as well. Lordan can feel that, too; I was getting tingly walking in [the ring], and he really tried his heart out.”

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release by Catie Staszak for FEI – Fédération Equestre Internationale

Photos: © FEI / Andrew Ryback