12 October '26
Gold and silver at the LGCT Grand Prix in Rome
© Longines Global Champions Tour
With no fewer than four five-star competitions on the programme, there was plenty of action at the very highest level once again last weekend. The Italian capital, Rome, provided the backdrop for the thirteenth leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour. The Z-horses made it a fantastic blue and yellow weekend by clinching both gold and silver in the LGCT Grand Prix.
The atmosphere was electric as forty of the world’s best riders and horses competed for honours on Sunday afternoon during the thirteenth Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of the season. The technical course designed by course designer Uliano Vezzani and his team proved to be a tough challenge, which was ultimately successfully completed by seven rider-horse pairs. After a nail-biting jump-off, it was the Belgian rider Abdel Saïd who took centre stage with his 11-year-old gelding Wathnan Quaker Brimbelles Z, a son of Quicksilver St. Simeon and Hickstead, born in France at Haras Des Brimbelles. As the penultimate pair to start, Saïd and Wathnan Quaker Brimbelles Z raced to the finish line in 35.27 seconds, leaving the competition far behind. With this victory, Saïd also consolidated his lead in the LGCT standings.
Abdel Saïd: “I’m very proud of my horse. He was completely on the ball today. I reckon he was keeping an eye on the LGCT rankings too, because he was absolutely razor-sharp! He has a big gallop stride and plenty of power, so I had to make the most of that today. He might not be the most manoeuvrable horse, but he’s incredibly competitive, and it paid off."
However, alongside this resounding victory for Wathnan Quaker Brimbelles Z, the silver medal in this LGCT Grand Prix was also claimed by a Z-class horse. That honour went to Saïd’s compatriot Pieter Devos and his 11-year-old home-bred Casual DV Z, a daughter of Cornet Obolensky and Cicero Z. Devos and Casual DV Z were first up in the jump-off and delivered a flawless round in 35.88 seconds.
Pieter Devos: “My horse jumped brilliantly today. I was first to go in the jump-off, so I took a few risks, but on the penultimate line I should actually have taken four gallop strides. With hindsight, I would have done it differently, but when you’re the first to go, you do what’s necessary. I’m really very happy with second place. We bred Casual ourselves and I’m so proud of the long journey we’ve been on together, from foal to where we are now. She’s performed incredibly consistently over the past few years; I think she’s already jumped clear rounds in six five-star Grand Prix events.”
Swiss rider Jane Richard was also among the group of riders who went into the jump-off with her 11-year-old gelding Aequitus vh Bergerhof Z, a son of Andiamo Z and Limbus, bred by Frank Damiaens. The pair incurred a jumping fault in the jump-off, and this result saw her finish in6th place in the rankings, just as she had on the opening day on Friday.
Another standout combination in the Eternal City was the Dutch rider Sanne Thijssen and the 9-year-old mare Farah Z, a daughter of For Pleasure and Caretano, bred in the Netherlands by Freek Hoogenboom. Both in the 1.50m class on Saturday evening and in the 1.45m class on Sunday morning, Thijssen and Farah Z secured a brilliantsecond place.
Furthermore, Swiss rider Nadja Peter Steiner also secured a top placing with her 10-year-old gelding Clearround IL Mondo Z, a horse bred by Tim Naessens that combines the bloodlines of Comme Il Faut and Clearway. During the first round of the Global Champions League on Saturday morning, they also tooksecond place after a flawless round.
Finally, Italian rider Elisa Chimirri also enjoyed a strong competition with the 14-year-old grey gelding Calandro Z (Calato Z x Sandro Boy), who was bred by Tim Holford. They immediately secured a place in the prize-winners’ circle on Friday with a7th place in the 1.60m class and rounded off their competition on Sunday morning with an8th place in the 1.45m class.