Casas Novas, La Coruña, Spain – December 02, 2023 – Incredible excitement and passionate atmosphere was experienced in Casas Novas during the jump-off of the €200,000 Longines Grand Prix and the possibility of a Spanish triumph that was cherished until the last moment.
The veteran Jesús Garmendia (ESP) and his spectacular Callias gave their best in the jump-off and took the lead in the classification with a time of 38.36 seconds, which seemed unbeatable, after making a brilliant second round, with an intense gallop and a breathtaking turn towards the finish line.
But shortly after, Julien Anquetin (FRA) ruined the victory options of the rider from San Sebastian, with a replica of his ride, but with a little more intensity in the last line, where the Frenchman and his 12-year-old Blood Diamond du Pont recovered a few hundredths decisive to get the victory. The French rider stopped the chronometer when he crossed the finish line in 37.70 seconds, only 66 hundredths of a second less than the Spanish rider.
In any case, an impressive performance by Jesús Garmendia, culminating a magnificent season with second place in a Grand Prix of 1.55 meters in which he had as rivals many riders of the world’s elite.
The test had 45 participants and 15 faultless rounds, with ten of them repeating the clear round in the jump-off. A jump-off that was disputed over 8 obstacles and 9 efforts and in which six riders managed to finish with no penalties and under 40 seconds.
The third fastest double clear was Christian Ahlmann (GER) with Mandato van de Neerheide. The German was third with 38’61 seconds, while Lorenzo de Luca was fourth with “F One Usa” and Sweden’s Evelina Tovek finished fifth with “Azaria Dinero”.
The winner of the Longines Grand Prix, the French Julien Anquetin, received the trophy from Flora Pérez Marcote on behalf of Casas Novas, and later, Elena Orozco, Brand Manager of Longines Spain, awarded him with the Longines watch.
Final Results – €200,000 Longines Grand Prix CSI 5*-W
1) Julien Anquetin (FRA) & Blood Diamond du Pont – 0 / 0 – 37.70
2) Jesús Garmendia (ESP) & Callias – 0 / 0 – 38.36
3) Christian Ahlmann (GER) & Mandato van de Neerheide – 0 / 0 – 38.61
Source: Press Release from Oxersport for CSI Casas Novas
Photos: © CSI Casas Novas / Oxer Sport / Manuel Queimadelos & Jose Manuel Alvarez for Quality Sport Images
Categories: English
