Change in leaderboards as Darragh Kenny wins GP in Monaco

Edwina Tops-Alexander jumps into the lead of the Longines GLobal Champions Tour leaderboard with 152 points. Peder Fredricson follows 3 points behind and Ben Maher third with 132 points. Scott Brash has been relegated to fourth position.

Darragh Kenny displayed a brilliant victory on Idalville d’Esprit in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco. Moreover, he also won for Paris Panthers in the GCL showdown. 

Just a second of difference

A second separated the top three riders in the jump-off. Max Kühner came in second in the Grand Prix de Monaco on Eic Coriolis des Isles. Third spot went to Olivier Philippaerts and H&M Legend of Love. 

Kenny now is the latest addition to the GC Prague Playoffs, the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix that takes place in Prague in November. 

Under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, this seventh leg of the LGCT saw the top horses and riders battle it out in the pinnacle of show jumping. 33 riders qualified for the Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco, a course designed by Uliano Vezzani.

Excitement in the Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco

Olivier Philippaerts and H&M Legend of Love was the first combination to take on the course. They gave everything and arrived at the finish line in a clear 38.66 seconds. 

Edwina-Tops Alexander and Identity Vitseroel wanted to finish better than in Stockholm and rushed through the course. However, as they touched the castle fence that fell off they dropped to the fifth position. 

Max Kühner knew he needed a clear in order to win and was determined to do so with Eic Coriolis des Isles. His brilliant performance moved him straight into the first position with a time of 38.07 seconds. 

Alberto Zorzi was not able to keep a clear performance as he knocked the penultimate fence, dropping him to the bottom. It was then the turn of Darragh Kenny and Idalville d’Esprit who increased the pace and cut half a second off the time of Max Kühner to finish first. 

Paris Panthers win in GCL of Monaco

Nayel Nassar and Darragh Kenny rose the overall Global Champions League rankings in Monaco after their win. They leapt into 4th position with 117 points, and some of the top teams dropped down. 

Valkenswaard United still keeps the overall lead with 171 points. Monaco Aces is now in second place with 133 points while Shanghai Swans moves into third place with 129 points. 

The course designed by Uliano Vezzani was a very technical course, and riders raced down the arena with a time allowed of 69s. Paris Panthers was the final team to go, and they opted for the same horses as Thursday’s first round.

Nayel Nassar had an incredible clear with Igor van de Wittemoere. With a three fence margin, Darragh Kenny also pulled a clear performance on Idalville d’Esprit. 

Now all riders in the Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League will be moving on to Berlin for the 8th leg of the 2021 season. As leaderboards are still able to keep changing, this equestrian battle intensifies.