There was excessive drama on the World Champions Tour (GCT) Prague Playoffs as one rider’s untimely begin meant “heartbreaking” elimination for his staff.
The quarter-finals of the World Champions League (GCL) Tremendous Cup offered by Air Financial institution featured a stellar line-up of horses and riders making an attempt to safe a spot within the semi-finals.
Uliano Vezzani’s course proved a troublesome take a look at for the Tremendous Cup, with faults coming all through, however it was the third staff in, the Cannes Stars, whose path to the demi-final was reduce quick by a technicality. Jens Backmann, on Aglaia J, began earlier than the bell went, which meant elimination for the staff.
“The Playoffs is the final present of the yr, the entire staff was very excited to return right here and dissatisfied for positive to not leap,” mentioned Jens’ British teammate Sameh El Dahan. “I additionally really feel for Jens. We have been all actually enthusiastic about this present, so for this to occur to him I feel was a bit heartbreaking and a bit unfair. However that’s sport and it’s a must to reside with the frustration. It has been a bit the story with the Cannes Stars this yr, a bit up and down, two podium finishes, however nonetheless loads of downs and loads of ups. We have been hoping to complete on a excessive, however it’s not meant to be and what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
Sameh added that the thrill, the ups and downs and the shortage of ensures are a part of what he loves in regards to the sport.
“You may see that everyone has their horses effectively ready and in the perfect type they’ll, then a small factor like this occurs and all of your desires are shattered,” he mentioned. “So it’s a bit like this, and that’s what I really like about this sport – there are loads of feelings and loads of pleasure, and we simply must reside with the dangerous days in addition to the great days. For myself I’ve a couple of good days to fall again on and hold motivated for the longer term.”
The Paris Panthers took the win, ending on a complete of 4 faults. Crew member Ben Maher, who touched only one rail on his World Championships experience Faltic HB, mentioned: “I feel the staff deserve a superb consequence this week. I feel it makes a distinction this week and performs to our benefit with the format of three riders as an alternative of two.”
Jack Whitaker jumped clear on Q Paravatti N to assist safe his staff Madrid in Movement’s place within the semi-finals, as did John Whitaker on Equine America Unick Du Francport, for Valkenswaard United.
The semi-final takes place this night (18 November) and the ultimate on Sunday.
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Credit score: ph.Stefano Grasso/GCL
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