Whitaker Seals the Deal in Thrilling Final Showdown in Longines Global Champions Tour of New York

With 38 of the world’s best battling it out for a final podium position, the crowd was treated to an impressive masterclass as the fourteenth leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour for 2022 drew to a close.

Ten horse-and-rider combinations qualified for the jump-off after a big weekend of show jumping in the heart of New York City Harbour, with the final title ultimately taken out by a masterful round by John Whitaker aboard Equine America Unick du Francport in a blistering time of 37.39 seconds – just 0.52 seconds ahead of second-place getters Nayel Nassar and El Conde.

Class pathfinders Denis Lynch aboard his ever-reliable GC Chopin's Bushi and Nayel Nassar aboard his Evergate Stables-owned El Conde paved the way for an exciting final showdown in the city that never sleeps. As the first two riders into the arena, they posted impressive clear rounds in the Ulliano Vezzani-designed course.

Speaking of his win Whitaker said, “I am absolutely delighted with the win today. This is such a special location and venue with the iconic Statute of Liberty behind us that is even better. We have come a long way so to finish like this is top.”

As fourth to go in the jump off, with six of the world’s leading riders set to follow, Whitaker liked his chances on taking the win. “There were quite a few clears. Nayel was quick. When I beat Nayel, because I know he has a really quick horse and is a really quick rider, I knew I had a chance,” said the podium veteran.

Shane Breen told GCTV his thoughts on the venue for this year’s show saying: “All of the LGCT venues are incredible, but this is one of the iconic ones. It’s an honour to be here and ride.”

Just three double-clear rounds shone through, and rounding out a weekend of impressive results, the third and final place on the podium went to none other than Marlon Modolo Zanotelli aboard his Grand Slam VDL, with a time of 38.33 seconds – less than one second behind Whitaker.

Riding high after his jaw-dropping win in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of New York City, Daniel Deusser aboard Kiana van het Herdershof threw caution to the wind, posting the fastest time of the jump off in 36.68 seconds but it cost him four faults for fourth place.

Falling victim to the delicate course in round two were the two Irishmen, Denis Lynch and Michael G Duffy, who finished with four faults each and in fifth and sixth place respectively, closely followed by home grown hero and audience favourite, Margie Goldstein-Engle, aboard Dicas in seventh place.

In what would have secured her fourth place, Malin Maryard-Johnsson roared around on her Harley Davidson in a time of 38.38 seconds, but ultimately finished in eighth place with four faults. Just 0.51 seconds behind was an on-form Niels Bruynseels and Diornella-D finishing in ninth position.

With three of the world’s best in contention take the 2022 Champion of Champions, all eyes turn to Riyadh, where The Longines Global Champions Tour now looks to its final stage. The breathtaking backdrop of cultural heritage sites, Turaif, Al Bujairi, and Boulevard City where the past and future of Saudi Arabia collide, will play host to the final stage of the intense 2022 season.

Breen Speeds Past the Field in 1.45m CSI5*

Shane Breen (IRL) and Haya were the only pair to break the 60-second mark over the one-round speed class for victory in the 1.45m CSI5*, the first of two final five-star classes on Sunday, September 25, 2022.

“She was fantastic in there,” said Breen of the 10-year-old KWPN mare by Mylord Cathargo x For Pleasure owned by Breen Equestrian Ltd. and Old Lodge. “She’s been wonderful all season. We’ve many times been the bridesmaid, so today she was the bride and I’m thrilled. The plan is to build her up for the grand prix, and step by step, we’re getting there. Next year she’s going to be a big name for me.”

While Breen had a plan for his course, he did make one adjustment. “I saw that they were doing seven strides quite easy to the last jump, so I thought if I kept up on the lefthand side, I could do six strides,” he explained. “I chanced it, and it came off for me. I think that’s where I clinched it.”

Of the New York site on Governors Island, Breen said, “All of the LGCT venues are incredible, but this is one of the iconic ones. It’s an honor to be here and ride.”

Second place went to Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Chic Chic, an 11-year-old Westphalian stallion by Comme Il Faut 5 x Contendro I owned by Vlock Show Stables LLC, who finished clear in 60.33 seconds. With a time of 61.33 seconds, Max Kühner (AUT) and Vancouver Dreams, his own 12-year-old Hanoverian mare by Valentino 240 x Stakkato, finished third.

1st Place – Shane Breen & Haya (IRL)
2nd Place – Darragh Kenny & Chic Chic (IRL)
3rd Place – Max Kuhner & Vancouver Dreams (AUT)
4th Place – Marlon Modolo Zanotelli & Grand Slam VDL (BRA)
5th Place – Hans-Deter Dreher & Cous Cous (GER)
6th Place – Peder Fredricson & H&M Christian K (SWE)
7th Place – Niels Bruynseeels & Diornella-D (BEL)
8th Place – Omer Karaevli & Policeman (TUR)
9th Place – Isabella Russekoff & Picobello Full House ter Linden Z (USA)
10th Place – Shane Sweetnam & Namaste van het Eyckeveld (IRL)

Popping Bottles in the CSI2* Grand Prix, Presented by Champagne Piaff

The winner of the CSI2* Grand Prix, presented by Champagne Piaff will be celebrating with a bottle of bubbly this afternoon! Matthew Boddy (GBR) and Chameur, a 14-year-old Westphalian gelding by Cayetano L x Grossadmiral owned by Purple Road LLC, were the fastest of two double clears and five in the jump-off with a time of 41.01 seconds.

Boddy works for Georgina Bloomberg’s Gotham Enterprizes. This was his first international win.

“I owe so much to Georgina and [trainer] Jimmy Doyle; I’m not doing this without them,” expressed Boddy. “Representing them makes me proud as anything. I’ve been trying for two-and-a-half years to win for them, and I’ve been knocking on the door for a long time. To win in New York means so much, to have Georgina in the stand, and Jimmy out here. I thought my Mum and Dad were going to have a heart attack at home! It’s a great first international win for me.”

Boddy has only competed with Chameur once before at the Hampton Classic Horse Show last month. “Today was the result we wanted,” he said. “We’ve been experimenting for a couple of days because I don’t really know him that well. We went in on the attack, and it worked for us. He jumped so easy, nice, and confident. It was cool to be here and win in New York, especially for Georgina. She’s so kind to me and gives me horses to ride. I like working for the team and wearing the badge. “

Following Boddy in the prize giving was Emmanuelle Greenberg (USA) riding Dublin van Overis, a 14-uear-old Zangersheide stallion by Darco x Kashmir vd Schuttershof owned by Pumpkins Patch Farms II Inc. Greenberg and Dublin van Overis were just off the pace in 41.18 seconds. With the fastest time in the jump-off of 36.51 seconds but an unfortunate rail for four faults, Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) and Wonder If, a 10-year-old AES mare by Cevin Z x Bolivar owned by Gochman Sport Horse LLC, finished third in 36.51 seconds.

Mimi Gochman (USA) and Celina BH, a 12-year-old Holsteiner mare by Canstakko x Carthago Z owned by Gochman Sport Horse LLC, finished in fourth place. Rounding out the jump-off were David O’Brien (IRL) and El Balou OLD, a 10-year-old Oldenburg stallion by Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Balou du Rouet owned by Chansonette Farm LLC. They finished with four faults in 38.80 seconds for fifth place.