Martin Fuchs (SUI) took his first win aboard new horse The Sinner in a perfect prelude to Saturday’s Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco presented by Tennor.
In the spectacular harbour-side setting, Fuchs added the Trophy Casino de Monte-Carlo win to his accolades, the on-form Swiss rider clearly building a formidable partnership with the 11 year old bay gelding.
Martin said,
It’s a great win, it’s a new horse for me, but it’s our first win together so I’m very happy. Henrik was fast, but I was a bit faster from fences one to two and I left out a stride at the last oxer [which is where it was won].”
HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco attended the event, which is under His Patronage each year, and met international guests at the venue which sits under the shadow of the Palace. To the delight of spectators Prince Albert presented the winner’s trophy for the Prix Safe Riding, awarding the athletes their prizes and applauding their lap of honour. As dusk fell glamorous guests arrived for the evening’s Longines Pro-Am competition, of which Charlotte Casiraghi is Honorary President.
The Trophy Casino de Monte-Carlo competition saw a thrilling eight rider jump-off at the sparkling port-side arena. Fuchs took the win ahead of Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) with Best Boy 2 and Alberto Zorzi (ITA) with Danique.
The afternoon’s 1.50m course set by Frank Rothenberger was a short but fast-paced track, with fences spaced up and down the small arena and set on flowing turns. A wide Massimo Dutti oxer caught out a few of the best, and two delicate Monaco verticals set side by side required complete focus from every challenger. A delicate GC vertical with a liverpool set behind caught the eye of a few horses, another wide Longines oxer needed power and precision and a light treble as the penultimate challenge would also see a few hopes tumble.
Saturday will see the final day of competition in Monaco, with the GCL Monaco second round taking place at 17:00 local time before the LGCT Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco presented by Tennor taking place at 20:15.
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