Vejer de La Frontera, Spain – October 24, 2021 – Sixty riders took part in the most important class of the week at Montenmedio, all aiming to win the Grand Prix CSI 3* class which was kindly sponsored by the ‘Junta de Andalucia’.
There were many top international riders and horses in this 1.50m GP class including four time Olympian Ludo Philippaerts (BEL); team Silver winner in the Tokyo Olympics this year, Laura Kraut (USA) and the winner of the Pan-American games in and yesterday’s winner in the biggest class, Felipe Amaral (BRA). Yet despite the quality of the field only eight pairs actually got through to the jump off. The last line of fences in the first round was the downfall of many riders, with an oxer, sponsored by Marqués de Riscal, followed by an upright sponsored by the Junta de Andalucia.
In the jump-off Peter Burri (SUI), riding Dubai 64 jumped a lovely steady clear but left the door ajar with his time of 47.42 seconds looking possible to beat. It was clear the competition wasn’t over when his compatriot came in to the arena, Alain Jufer (SUI) who rode a fast, subtle but strong round in his usual, distinctive style. Alain told us afterwards: “ I knew I needed a fast clear round”, and in the end, that’s exactly what he achieved, a fast clear in just 44.08 s, the new time to beat.
On Sunday, Alain was once again riding Cornet MM, he told us that is wasn’t his plan to jump the horse again, but he so comfortably, winning the class on Friday that “Steve Guerdat, who I train with, and I decided we would jump him in the Grand Prix of Andalucía. He is a fast horse but in reality it is Dante MM who we have high hopes for in the big classes next season”.
There were five riders to go after Alain’s round, and all of them were both experienced and fast. One of them was Ludo Philippaerts (BEL) with Laurier, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood, by Zirocco Blue, who has a great stride length. This pair really looked like they were going into the lead as they flew round and finished on a mere 42.18s but their speed cost them a pole at the very last fence.
The next pair in the arena were the winners of the La Equina Trophy class from yesterday, Felipe Amaral (BRA) riding Androide 3K. This pair was also hungry for another victory but once again their speed caught them out and they took down the second part of the double. In the end they finished in a time of 42.91s so it was clear the current leaders’ time was beatable, but could it be done with a clear round. With just two riders to go Alain was definitely in third place. It was all up to the last riders, Edouard Schmitz was riding Gamin Van’t Naastveldhof and was faster but he took down the Suzuki sponsored vertical. Last to go was Laura Kraut (USA) and Constable II who was a bit slower and also had a rail in the last line of fences.
A new name for us here at the Tour is the American rider Zazou Hoffman (USA) who was was very impressive today and took second place. She jumped a neat fast round with Bloom du Plessis, stopping the clock in 44.95s. The mare is by Orient Express and the dam sire is Rosire. These two have jumped here this week in a 1.45m and a 1.40m class with clears in both and today they were really ready to step up on the podium. It was a very exciting jump off with these amazing athletes really riding to win.
So, in the end, the winners of the Grand Prix of Andalucia CSI 3* were handed their prizes by the Vice-president of the Junta de Andalucía, Don Juan Marín. The winner was the amazing Alain Jufer (SUI) with Cornet MM, in second was American rider Zazou Hoffman (USA) with Bloom du Plessis owned by the Bloom Group and in third place was Peter Burri with the lovely Dubai 64.
Final Results – €50,520 Grand Prix of Andalucia CSI 3*
1) Alain Jufer (SUI) & Cornet MM – 0 / 0 – 44.08
2) Zazou Hoffman (USA) & Bloom du Plessis – 0 / 0 – 44.95
3) Peter Burri (SUI) & Dubai 64 – 0 / 0 – 47.42
Source: Press Release by the Sunshine Tour
Photos: © Sunshine Tour / Ahmed Photography
Categories: CSI 3*, English, Jumper News Schweiz
