It was about prize money of 1 million euros: After all, 12 pairs competed in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Cairo to win the title. Marco Kutscher with Pikeur Lemar NRW (from Los Angeles) and the Olympic champions Christian Kukuk and Checker (from Comme il Faut) were also present. And although they were the fastest, the victory went to Belgium in the end.
Two weeks ago, Pieter Devos and his own mare Casual DV Z (v. Cornet Obolensky) had to settle for second place in the LGCT Grand Prix in Rome: On Saturday in Cairo, the Belgian and his 11-year-old mare finally received the deserved victory. As the second rider in the final, Pieter Devos had to make an early showing and take some risks. The Belgian trusted his mare and after a swift time of 45.85 seconds, the pair reached the finish line without a single fault. Then the long wait and suspense began. Would the time be enough to secure victory?
Marco Kutscher and his rider Lemar NRW, who already delivered flawlessly in the victory in the Global Champions League, also remained without contact with the pole in the obstacle course. The time of 49.83 seconds was enough for an excellent fifth place.
Christian Kukuk and Checker also raced after the victory and didn’t leave a second on the Egyptian sand – after only 45.36 seconds they were in the finish line and the time would have been enough for the victory – if – had two poles not fallen to the ground on the way. So it was 10th place.
Finally, Pieter Devos was challenged once again by Ben Maher and Point Break: The Brit and his Action Breaker son galloped to the finish in 46.57 seconds, which meant third place and Pieter Devos was finally able to celebrate his victory. Between Devos and Maher, the Belgian Olivier Philippaerts, riding Hipster SV (v. Corporal VDL), moved up to second place.
„I was on the LGCT podium six times this season with Casual. Today’s victory is the icing on the cake. It is already something very special to be able to experience accompanying a self-bred horse from its beginnings to the Grand Prix victory,“ the winner said after his triumph.
The whole result: HERE