After a couple of near misses Gianni Govoni finally gave the crowd a home win in the 1.45 two phase warm up class and collected a prize of just over 6600 Euro.
Despite observations that sometimes in the past French concern with elegance and classical horsemanship has got in the way of a fighting finish, it was Michel Robert who started 4th and set a target in the second phase that proved almost impossible to beat. 24.63 had not looked especially fast at the time and Kronos d'Ouilly is not known as a speed horse but another 40 riders had to jump before the former World Champion's time was bettered. As usual, there was no possibility of Gianni and Joyau d'Opal playing safe, and their gallop to the last is probably what brought them home an entire second faster then Michel. The watching audience were understandably ecstatic. "For me I am very happy to win here for them" said the rider afterwards, "but this horse is a tiger, although very hot and not so easy sometimes." Edwina Alexander was third again on Islovas Socrates with Albert Zoer in fourth.

The real business of the day though concerned the Grand Prix and it's Euro 95'000 first prize. In all there were 49 starters of which 18 would be able to jump in the second round with a further jump off against the clock if faults were still equal. Uliano Vezzani was possibly a little easy with his 1.60 course as 15 completed without penalty who were joined by the three fastest four faulters. Of these ten were still on equal faults and so a third round began. Ireland's Denis Lynch was first to go but had the second fence down although his time of 33.52 looked quick. Indeed, next to go Rolf-Goran Bengtsson did leave all fences intact on Ninja le Silla but his time of 35.70 was a fraction slower than Lynch's. However neither Alvardo Miranda nor Kevin Staut could better Rolf though both were clear and it took former European showjumping champion Marco Kutchner to get a fraction in front.

Cash did not appear to be moving fast at all but was very smooth and fluent and the clock stopped at 34.55. Michel Robert reached his second runner up spot of the day when Kellemoi de Pepita finished in 35.04 and Bernardo Alves was third Chupa Chup 2 after a spirited attempt to win ended with a time of 35.6.

"Winning was totally unexpected" said Marco afterwards. "in this company you cannot take any thing for granted but I think that I am taking more risks when I ride Cash now because although he is sensitive he has really begun to learn about jumping at speed. I am very happy tonight and hope I have taken a big step towards the Doha Final."

The Tour moves on to a new venue, Valencia, in May, where once again the worlds best show jumpers will saddle up for three days of the best in equestrian sport.

Below are the results from the GCT of Italy, Arezzo.
 
Global Champions Tour of Italy, Jumping Competition over two rounds with one jump-off and Ranking:

1. Marco Kutscher (Germany) Cash 0 / 34,55 sec. - 20 Points
2. Michel Robert (France), Kellemoi de Pepita 0/ 35,04 - 18 Points
3. Bernardo Alves (Brazil),  Chupa Chup 0/ 35,60 - 16 Points
4. Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (Sweden), Ninja La Silla 0/ 35,70 - 15 Points
5. Alvaro Miranda (Brazil),  Picolien Zeldenrust 0/ 35,95 - 14 Points
6. Kevin Staut (France) with Kraque Boom 0/ 37,27. -  13 Points
7. Robert Whitaker (Great Britain) with Casino 4/ 35,12 - 12 Points
8.  Denis Lynch (Ireland) with Lantinus 4/ 35,52 - 11 Points 
9. Edwina Alexander (Australia) with Itot du Chateau 4/ 35,61- 10 Points
10. Julien Epaillard (France) with Kanthaka de Petra 4/ 44,73 - 9 Points

Credits: Press of GCT

The Global Champions Tour ("GCT"), the most prestigious championship in show jumping today, will commence the 2009 season with the Global Champions Tour of Italy, hosted by the Arezzo Equestrian Centre from 2 to 5 April 2009.

The GCT invites the world's top 30 riders from the Rolex Rankings to compete and ensures an exciting grand prix for all horse and sport lovers alike.

The first stage will be watched with particular interest by the local Italian fans, as it is the first time an Italian, Gianni Govoni, has qualified in the top 30 and will join four other local riders invited by the host nation's federation in their conquest for the total prize money of €380,000.

Gianni Govoni, recent winner of the CSI3* Grand Prix at Toscana Tour, well-known for his speed and tenacious determination to win, will no doubt thrill the local and international spectators as he battles it out with the world's best. Top riders and their horses participating in the season's opening event include the GCT Final 2008 winners Jessica Kurten and Castle Forbes Libertina, three times GCT grand prix winner in 2008 Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and the top Australian rider and current world number 4 Edwina Alexander to name just a few. Representing Brazil at this first stage of GCT will be Luiz Felipe de Azevedo, Bernardo Alves and Doda Miranda, the president of the O.C of the stage in Brazil ( Athina Onassis Intenational Horse Show).

The AOIHS is the 7th stage of GCT and it is going to be in Rio de Janeiro from 31th of July to 2nd of August.

Credits: Press of GCT and Presscom Comunicação

AOIHS will be the seventh stage of GCT

Season 2009 of the Global Champions Tour promises to be one of best of all the times. The competition of this year earned plus a stage and will pass for nine cities, in three continents. Idealized for the dutch Jan Tops four years ago, the event became one of the greaters of the world.It has the highest prize money of history, with the 2008 edition distributing little more than 5 million euros in prizes. In the dispute, the best riders of the world.

The Athina Onassis International Horse Show of 2009 will be the seventh stage of the competition. In 2007 and 2008, AOIHS was elect the best of all the stages of the GCT.

Stages of GCT in 2009 Stage

Stage 1 - 02 / 05 April - Arezzo - Italy

Stage 2 - 08 / 10 May - Valencia - Espanha

Stage 3 - 21 / 24 May - Hamburgo - Germany

Stage 4 - 11 / 13 June - Cannes - France

Stage 5 - 25 / 27 June - Monte Carlo - Mônaco

Stage 6 - 09 /11 July - Estoril - Portugal

Stage 7 - 31/07 / 02/08 August - Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

Stage 8 - 20 / 23 August - Valkenswaard - Holland

Final: 11 / 15 November - Doha - Catar

MICHEL ROBERT HAS A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE AND WINS THE FINAL CLASS OF ATHINA ONASSIS INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW

Ludger Beerbaum wins the prize of most efficient rider. Sunday could not have been better for Michel Robert. After winning the morning class, the veteran rider, French pentachampion, granted us with a great performance and was made champion of Nestlé Masters, Athina Onassis International Horse Show last class, disputed at Sociedade Hípica Paulista, in São Paulo.

Michel Robert was the only rider to zero the difficult course of 13 obstacles and 76 second given, traced by Frank Rothenberger and therefore there was no need for resolution. On the horseback of mare Mme Pompadour M his course was impeccable with 72s41, taking the champion cup. By the title the French received and award of € 100,000.

"This was my day! I managed to jump off in both classes with different heights and I'm very happy with the result. The track was well set, with traps during the course and my mare managed to overcome all difficulties", said the 60 year old French who left the track quite moved with the applause and affection of the audience that took the tribunes.

"Equestrianism is my life, my passion. I've jumped off since I was 18 and I can't live without it", revealed the rider who has two Olympic bronze medals, Seul 88 and Barcelona 92.

The second place was by the Mexican, Brazilian by birth, Santiago Lambre and his horse Cristallo, that despite not presenting faults had some penalty scores due to excceding the time, with 77s77. Bronze medal went to the set Quatar, Sheik Ali Khaled Al Thani/Adolfo FRH, who did 77s82, also exceeding time.

"It's the second tour I have with this horse and I'm surprised with the results. I started calmly and all came up right. I hope to keep this riding next season and reach other good results", said Santiago, naturalized Mexican to compete in Winnipeg Pan American Games in 1999.

"It was an opportunity I had but, I dream to compete for my country one day. My heart is Brazilian ", he added. The third place, Sheik Ali Khaled is marvelled with his first visit to Brazil.

"It's been a great pleasure to participate in a competition like this one. I thank the organization, the committe and all involved because this has been the best tour I've ever participated in my life. I loved the people and the environment in this country ", said Sheik Ali Khaled.

The best positioned Brazilian in this class was Álvaro Afonso de Miranda, aka Doda, who reached the 8th place with Aboyeur W, time 71s51 and one fault.

The award of € 100,000 granted to the most efficient rider during the five days of competition went to German Ludger Beerbaum, who scored 521 points in the nine classes valid for this ranking. Daniel Deusser, also from Germany, got the second place with 496 points and he took home € 50,000. Doda got the third position with 482,50 points. The horseherds of them both were awared with € 10,000 and € 5,000 respectively.

"Although I had not won any class I was among the first of them all. The level of the competition was very high and I'm happy for managing to be so efficient during the five days of classes. My three horses jumped off quite well and I hope to be here again next year to fight for the titles ", celebrated Beerbaum.

Before the start of Nestlé Masters, homage was paid to Brazilian rider Marcos Alves. He received a silver plate from Nelson Pessoa as symbol of recognition of his efforts and services done to Brazilian equestrian sports.

Joca, as he's affectionately known, got paraplegic at 25 from a horse fall while training in Europe. In Beijing's 2008 Para Olympic Games he got bronze medal at Break In.

Horseherds that came from abroad also receive homage by Álvaro Afonso de Miranda, o Doda.

The event counted with sponsorship of Nestlé, Rolex, Bradesco, Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN), Hyundai, CN, CN Worldwide, Mapfre Seguros, Amil, Pamcary, Usiminas and Gerdau.

Nestlé Masters – 1,55m

1 – FRA – Michel Robert/Mme Pompadour – 72s41- fault free
2 – MEX – Santiago Lambre/Cristallo 5 – 77s77 – 1 point
3 – QAT - Ali Khaled Al Thani/Adolfo FRH – 77s82 – 1 point
4 – GER – Marcus Ehning/Sabrina – 70s87 – 1 fault
5 – IRL – Jessica Kurten/Caslte Forbes Libertina – 71s05 – 1 fault
6 – GER – Ludger Beerbaum/All Inclusive NRW – 71s40 – 1 fault

IRISH JESSICA KURTEN WINS GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR 2008

The title of best knight of the world is not held by a man, rather by a woman. Irish Jessica Kurten is the great winner of Global Champions Tour, most important tour of world equestrian panorama. The horsewoman developed spectacular performance on Saturday afternoon at GCT Final Grand Prix by Bradesco Private, class that best defined the 2008 season at Sociedade Hípica Paulista, in São Paulo. As award, Kurten will take home no less than € 300,000.

On horseback of Caslte Forbes Libertina, the Irish was the fastest on resolution, scoring 34s25, fault-free. The second place, also taken by a horsewoman, German Meredith Michaels Beerbaum, who scored 35s01 with her horse Shutterfly. The German set Beerbaum/All Inclusive NRW got bronze medal, 37s06. "I can't describe yet the emotion I'm feeling. It's something I could never imagine. Being among the 18 was already a great privilege. I even had some stomach ache before the class so anxious I was feeling. Through the morning I tried to mentalise I had to win. And at the end of the, day it worked", joked the 38 year old Irish, wasting affection during the press conference.

"I saw Ludger's performance and tried to get inspired by it. I was lucky to be the last to enter the track and when I was about to jump off the last obstacle I realized I could really win ", told Jessica, who between the second and third obstacles nearly lost it all due to a slip of her mare Libertina. "I stayed calm not to lose concentration. I believed it was possible mainly after what happened to Richard Spooner yesterday, who nearly fell and lost the class ", completed the horsewoman who had never before won an edition of the Global Tour.

The second place, German Meridith Michaels Beerbaum, stood out the level of difficulty of this decision. "I can assure this class was much more difficult than the Olympic individual final. I feel very much honored to be here and have reached the final. My horse is my partner and I should thank him for all he delivered me this season", said the horsewoman who took an award of € 180,000.

German Ludger Beerbaum, third place, thanked the organization of Athina Onassis International Horse Show. "I'd like to thank the effort of the organization to believe this competition was feasible. On behalf of all riders, I thank you sincerely. This third place is a great joy due to the high standards of this competition. Not always winning is the best, the emotion I'm feeling is priceless", revealed Beerbaum, who won € 120,000.


The president of Global Champions Tour, Jan Tops, signalised the success of the competition. "The Equestianism won in 2008. With the support of all sponsors involved and dedication of each athlete, the Global was a great success. The organization and the category are examples to follow ". The general director of CN Worldwild, Anita Ernesaks, says she is ever so impressed by the event.

"It's quite something how this competition turns around the world.It
started in Qatar, ended up here in Sao Paulo and it's a great success
wherever it goes to. All riders deserve congratulations!  ."

THE CLASS

During the first course, 18 sets entered the track to jum off 13
obstacles, 1,60m and 80 seconds.
Due to very high level of difficulty of the course traced by German Frank
Rothenberger, only four sets managed to classify and continue fighting for
the award. The Germans Ludger Beerbaum and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, the
French  Julien Epaillard and the Irish Jessica Kurten, who did the best
time, 73s26.
On resolution, with 7 obstacles, the German Ludger Beerbaum was the first
to enter and di an excellent time of 37s06, fault free. Following, his
sister-in-law Meredith Michaels Beerbaum entered and lowered the time to
35s01. The French Julien Epaillard did not repeat the same performance of
his first passage and ended up commiting 2 faults. When it seemed that all
was defined, the little Irish Jessica Kurten, 1,67m, in a fantastic
performance, impresssed the audience, beating the mark and doing
incredible 34s25.

This Sunday,two more classes will be disputed. At 10h, the Hyundai
Challenge, with 1,45m obstacles. And at 14h, the Nestlé Masters, with
1,55m obstacles.

FINAL GCT  GRAND PRIX BY BRADESCO PRIVATE

1º - IRL - Jessica Kurten/Caslte Forbes Libertina – 34s25
2º - GER - Meredith Michaels Beerbaum/Shutterfly – 35s01
3º - GER - Ludger Beerbaum/All Inclusive NRW – 37s06
4º - FRA - Julien Epaillard/Kanthaka de Petra – 37s81
5º - ENG - Tim Gredley/Omelli – 72s69 – 1 fault
6º – USA - Richard Spooner/Cristallo – 76s75 – 1 fault

WHAT WILL THE GCT FINAL IN SAO PAULO BRING?

Sao Paulo, 13/10/2008 – The Global Champions Tour, presented by CN and CN
WorldWide will conclude its series at the end of this week. Even though the organization experienced some exciting moments, all preparations have been made to have a CSI 5* show with 2 rounds of top leveled showjumping.

The top 25 riders of the Global Champions Tour Ranking have been invited to participate and on 9 October last the first horses arrived safely on the airport of Sao Paulo. In the meantime, there have been 5 more flights to bring all competing horses to Sao Paulo.

As an addition to the large amount of prize money, the organization will award a special prize to the best and second best rider of the CSI 5* Sao Paulo and their grooms at the end of the five competition days.

In total, €165.000 will be divided to 4 people. The breakdown will be:
Best rider €100.000
Second best rider € 50.000
Groom of the best rider €10.000
Groom of the second best rider €5.000

During 9 classes in 5 days, the riders can score points which will eventually lead to the best and second best rider. During the event, the leading rider can be recognized by a special bracelet.

Despite the postponement of 1 week, Eurosport has been able to provide the viewers with special service. The original broadcasting times could be maintained.
Therefore, the first round, which will take place on 16 October at 15:30 hrs, will be broadcasted at 23.00 hrs CET +1. The second round will take place on 18 October and will be broadcasted live at 20.30 hrs CET +1.

Global Champions Tour: www.globalchampionstour.com and its partners
www.cnworldwide.com; www.cn.ca; eurosport.yahoo.com; www.rolex.com;
More information: info@globalchampionstour.com or +31(0)40 2069 111

DESPITE DELAY STILL BIG FINAL IN SAO PAULO

Valkenswaard, 06/10/2008 – The Global Champions Tour will, unlike other messages, still have its big final in São Paulo, Brazil. The organizing committee has been able to provide the EU-commission with enough evidence to show that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure the health of the horses. These measures consist of e.g. quarantine during the horses’ travel and stay in Brazil.

The original date of the final was from 8 to 12 October, but has been postponed for one week setting the new date from 15 to 19 October. Even though the date has been changed, the program of this 5* event has not.

The prize money of the final is still the highest amount this sport has seen, a 1.9 million euro’s of which 1 million is reserved for the second round. The first round of the GCT GP will take place on Thursday 16 October at 15.30 hrs (CET+1 is 20.30 hrs). The second round is scheduled for Saturday 18 October at 15.30 hrs (CET+1 is 20.30 hrs).

The seventh leg in Arezzo concluded the Global Champions Tour Ranking which had been kept since the first and newest show in Doha, Qatar in April. In Doha it was Denis Lynch (IRL) who topped the GCT Ranking. In Hamburg, Steve Guerdat (SUI)
gained 13 points placing him on top. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) won in Cannes and left the two guys behind. Though he did not win in Monte-Carlo, Denis Lynch gained15 points and beat Michaels-Beerbaum from her first position. However, she won in Estoril, placing her on top of the GCT Ranking again. In Valkenswaard Nick Skelton (GBR) took the lead and did not let go anymore.

Even though Michaels-Beerbaum scored a hattrick in Arezzo, Nick Skelton stayed on top with 82 points, leaving the winning lady behind with 76 points and Edwina Alexander (AUS) with 68. All scores aside, the Global Champions Tour organisation can proudly announce that the best 25 riders of the GCT Ranking have been invited to participate across the Atlantic ocean.
Originally Eurosport would have broadcasted the rounds live in 59 countries across the world, and even though the date has been changed, they are doing their utmost to still provide viewers with this service.

All stakeholders such as sponsors, riders, owners, press and visitors can look forward to the highest donated final ever in showjumping.

Global Champions Tour: www.globalchampionstour.com and its partners
www.cnworldwide.com; www.cn.ca; eurosport.yahoo.com; www.rolex.com;
More information: info@globalchampionstour.com or +31(0)40 2069 111

John Whitaker wins Nestlé GP and Aristoteles Onassis trophy as birthday presents

The french Hubert Bourdy runs favourites down and wins GP 1,60m Athina Onassis Horse Show. Nine riders from nine different countries have disputed the decision that granted € 300.000 in prize

José Roberto Reynoso Filho is the champion of 1,50m competition at Athina Onassis Horse Show A Brazilian day at the International Series at Sociedade Hípica Paulista.

Brazilian podium stands out the morning competitions at Athina Onassis International Horse Show Doda, Cássio Rivetti and Felipe Guinato have won the 1,40m against the clock competition.

Pan-american medal winner shows spetacular performance at 1,50m competition, at Athina Onassis International Horse Show.

Ludo Philippaerts sparkles at the opening competition of the International series at the Athina Onassis horse show