09/12/2017 - 23:47

Sameh El Dahan won Longines Grand Prix in an exciting jump off

The first big competition in Casas Novas International Jumping Show was the Longines Grand Prix. Fans enjoyed a really exciting struggle among some of the best riders of this modality.     

In the jump off, the rider Sameh El Dahan got the first position on the back of Suma's Zorro with a time of 33.61 seconds in the jump off. It was the first victory of the Egyptian in Casas Novas.

After receiving the trophy from the Elena Orozco's hands, Director of Longines in Spain, El Dahan was very happy and said that “I always believe we'll have a good result”. Regarding the course, he thinks that “It was a difficult course from start to finish. Santiago Varela did a good work”. In his view, his horse, Sumas Zorro “is really careful, she always fights for me and that's how she manages to finish it”.

About Casas Novas, he declares that “is one of the best 5* shows in the world with top riders and the facilities are unbelievable. It is one of the best indoor places in the world, the arena is big, and always have the best riders. It's a pleasure to come here”. He is going to compete tomorrow “with the same horse and hopefully if she's feeling fresh and good, we'll have a good result, top 5 would be perfect”.

The course, designed by Santiago Varela, was quite difficult and there were only three riders that made the phase in time and with no penalties classifying for the jump off, including Carlos López and Jos Verlooy.

On the podium of the test he was accompanied in second place by the Colombian Carlos López who stopped the clock just a few tenths after the first, 34 seconds riding Cuplandra. Carlos López was so close to repeat the victory of last edition. The third position was for the Belgian Jos Verlooy with Igor and 34.56 seconds.

Paola Amilibia was the best Spanish classified riding Prunella d’Ariel getting a fifth position. She took home the Tyco Trophy. Amilibia was recently the first horsewoman to win the National Championship.

Maximum expectation for tomorrow, with the World Cup
Even though, the event has been a success since its inception, it is undeniable that the peak of emotions will arrive tomorrow, at 5:00 pm, with the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping presented by CaixaBank. This is the seventh round of the world tournament, which since October has been done in Oslo, Helsinki, Verona, Lyon, Stuttgart and Madrid.

Of the current riders at Casas Novas, the best place in the world ranking is Maikel van der Vleuten, who is in the sixth position. As for the Spanish, the first in the FEI table is Sergio Álvarez Moya, in twelfth position. Everyone will be fighting tomorrow to add up and climb positions. The show is guaranteed and will again be full house in the stands of Larín.

Before that appointment, there will be another category 5* event, the Prosegur Trophy. It will be at 11:30 in the morning, and it will be disputed in two phases F&T / C. As for the 2 * contest, it will start at 9:15 am with the Eroski Center Trophy with obstacles at 1.30 meters in two phases modality. There will be another test at 2:00 pm, the Tyco Grand Prix, with jump off and obstacles of 1.45 meters in height.