Vilamoura, Quarteira, Faro, Portugal – November 13, 2022 – Piergiorgio Bucci (ITA) was back in the winner’s circle on Sunday during the conclusion of the fifth week of competition at the 2022 VillaMoura Champions Tour. The Italian teamed up with with Cochello for the win in the €51,300 Hospital de Loule Grand Prix CSI 3*.

A total of 60 combinations entered the ring for the 1.50m challenge but only five of them cleared all the obstacles to advance to the jump-off. In the end it was Bucci who bested the other four finalists, guiding the 2009 grey Holsteiner gelding (Casall x Cartani 4) in flawless fashion while registering the fastest performance, stopping the timers in 36.83 seconds.

Victor Bettendorf (LUX) and Mr. Tac (Non Stop x Toulon) were also clean less than a second slower in the tiebreaker and their makr of 37.44 seconds was more than enough for a second-place finish.  

Álvaro González de Zarate Fernandez (ESP) chose a conservative approach to the course aboard Najac vh Kluizebos (Cooper van de Heffinck), which was good enogh for a clean round in 42.66 seconds and bronze honors.

Final Results – €51,300 Hospital de Loule Grand Prix CSI 3*

1) Piergiorgio Bucci (ITA) & Cochello – 0 / 0 – 36.83

2) Victor Bettendorf (LUX) & Mr. Tac – 0 / 0 – 37.44

3) Álvaro González de Zarate Fernandez (ESP) & Najac vh Kluizebos  – 0 / 0 – 42.66

Text: Jumper News, no reproduction without permission.

Photos: © Vilamoura Tours

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