Paris, France – December 08, 2019 – Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) and Carlotta 232 confirmed their status as the King & Queen of Speed winning the highly acclaimed €100,000 Longines Speed Challenge of Paris CSI 5* yesterday during the Longines Masters of Paris CSI 5*/2*.

Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) & Carlotta 232

The Italian and the 10-year-old dark bay Oldenburg mare (Chaccomo x Cento) boass a fabulous total of sixty plus international wins over the past five years, twelve of which in 2019! This time, they secured the victory backed by a super time of 60.48 seconds without a single pole down: a repeat for the winners of the same flagship competition during the Longines Masters of Lausanne, Switzerland, this summer.

“I’m extremely lucky to ride such an amazing mare. Each round with her is a pleasure – even more so at a show like this one where the stands are packed”, he commented.

The Paris crowd were held spellbound throughout the aptly named Longines Speed Challenge, the fastest class in the world. The spectators who supported each rider unreservedly were treated to the most spectacular show The special table where one pole down is worth 2 seconds extra time goes toward an increased speed and more suspense.

Steve Guerdat (SUI) & Ulysse des Forêts

However, a clear round was definitely a bonus to score the best time to win the class. A goal reached among others by world n°1 Steve Guerdat (SUI). Being 13 out of the 27 to go, the 2012 Olympic champion set a very fast pace in 61.98 seconds aboard Ulysse des Forêts (Col Canto x Le Tot Semilly).

“I rode according to my plan and mostly took advantage of my mare’s natural speed without pushing much”, the rider commented. Enough to win? “I think it’s possible to be faster. If I finish in the top five, or even on the podium, it’ll be a good thing”. The Swiss ended up a very creditable third, behind Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) and his long-standing friend Eric Lamaze (CAN).

Eric Lamaze (FRA) & Fine Lady 5

Riding top mare Fine Lady 5 (Forsyth FRH x Drosselklang II), the 2008 Olympic champion also put down a top performance thanks to a time of 61.37 seconds at the very end of the class, a lesson in riding and courage greeted by all.

Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) taking home a brand new Land Rover Discovery

Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) double comes as the icing on the cake. His times in Lausanne and Paris, enable him to win the Longines Speed Challenge Series Bonus. The carabiniere thus takes home a Land Rover Discovery! He will certainly give a go at another win in February at the Longines Masters of Hong Kong.