Vilamoura, Quarteira, Faro, Portugal – October 24, 2021 – Piergiorgio Bucci (ITA) was powered to victory in the Vilamoura Champions Tour Grand Prix CSI 3* yesterday at the Vilamoura Equestrian Centre in Portugal. The renowned Italian rider teamed up with Carpe Diem J&F Champblanc to win the €51,100 Vilamoura Champions Tour Grand Prix CSI 3*.

A total of 39 combinations entered Francisco Moura Arena for the 1.50m challenge, with four of them advancing to the tiebreaker. The Italian steered the 2012 bay Holsteiner stallion (Casall x Concerto II) flawlessly across the course and over all the obstacles for the second time before tripping the timers in 35.92 seconds for the victory.

A it has occurred many times this year, riders from Ireland and Great Britain climbed onto the podium. Trevor Breen (IRL) and Highland President (Clinton x Kannan) were the closest ones, finishing second due to their final time of 37.71 seconds.

The Union Jack was well represented by Alex Thompson (GBR) and Cathalina S ( Catoki x Sandro), who conquered the third spot on the podium backed by a clean scorecard too, earning bronze honors just two-tenths of a second behind the latter two.

Final Results – Vilamoura Champions Tour Grand Prix CSI 3*

1) Piergiorgio Bucci (ITA) & Carpe Diem J&F Champblanc – 0 / 0 – 35.92

2) Trevor Breen (IRL) & Highland President 0 – 0 – 37.71

3) Alex Thompson (GBR) & Cathalina S – 0 / 0 – 37.91

Text: Jumper News, no reproduction without permission.

Photos: © Vilamoura Equestrian Centre