Denis Lynch was already ready to take the saddle of Gerrit Nieberg's former partner Ping Pong van de Lentamel (v. Emerald) to open the first round of the Global Champions League in Rome on time. But then the start kept moving further and further until the judging panel had to take a decision. The large sand court in the historic Stadio dei Marmi was under water and from above there was continuous supply of wet water. As a caravan of rider-horse pairs left the inhospitable venue, they one after another retreated in a step back into the dry boxes of Tor di Quinto, a military riding school from 1891.
Tomorrow, if the weather cooperates, a new attempt will be made for the Global Champions League stage in Rome.