Jérome Guery (BEL) and Garfield de Tiji des Templiers powered to the top of the field yesterday evening at the inaugural GC Prague Playoffs, winning the first class of the weekend, the €50,200 Czech Equestrian Team sponsored speed class CSI 5*, just 0.22 seconds ahead of Piergiorgio Bucci (ITA) and Cochello (54.77 seconds). The duo were closely followed by Martin Fuchs (SWE) and Cristo (55.01 seconds) with many of the world’s top international horses and riders on phenomenal form for this weekend.

Uliano Vezzani pulled out a masterful first competition, producing a crafty course for the five-star riders in the opening speed class of the GC Prague Playoffs at the O2 Arena. Clearing the Rolls Royce vertical proved challenging as many riders attempted to roll back to next fence 9, the tightest turn of the course.

Calmly clearing all 14 fences, the power-house pair of Ben Maher (GBR) and Explosion W showed no signs of contesting the speed element of this class, banking a steady round to set up their weekend nicely.

One down and two time faults for Frank Schuttert (NED) and Chianti’s Champion meant they now look to tomorrow’s CSI5* 1.50m before the pressure intensifies in Saturday’s LGCT Super Grand Prix.

Another challenger of the LGCT Super Grand Prix, Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) and Castello 194 took an early lead with 64.00 seconds, easily shaving 6 seconds off Nicola Phillippaerts (BEL) and H&M Chilli Willi’s earlier time to beat.

Martin Fuchs (SUI) & Cristo

His lead was short lived when Martin Fuchs (SWE) and Cristo stumped up a clear round in 55.01 seconds, a whopping 9 seconds faster than Henrik. Seventeen riders later Jérome Guery (BEL) and Garfield de Tiji des Templiers would have the crowd on the edge of their seats.

Jérôme Guery (BEL) & de Tiji des Templiers

Almost running into the white planks on his way to fence 9, Jérome and Garfield de Tiji des Templiers caught up the time on their way to the last fence the time to steal the lead on 54.55 seconds by 0.45 seconds.

There was high drama when World Number One Harrie Smolders (BEL) and Zinius went separate ways at the Rolls Royce fence. Thankfully he re-mounted to before exiting the arena and is ready for the Quarter Final tonight.

Flying around the course on Virtuose Champeix, speed demon Julien Epaillard (FRA) challenged Jérome’s lead but a rail at halfway point meant the pair eased the gas preferring to finish the course on four faults.

Final placings:

1) Jérome Guery (BEL) & Garfield de Tiji des Templiers, 54.55 seconds

2) Piergiorgio Bucci (ITA) & Cochello, 54.77 seconds

3) Martin Fuchs (SWE) & Cristo, 55.01 seconds

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release from GCT – Global Champions Tour

Photos: © GCT / GC Playoffs / Stefano Grasso