Evelina Tovek created the surprise in Rome. Scott Brash came fourth

What a hard course built by Uliano Vezzani, the course designer, as no one before the thirteenth rider found a way to cross the finish line without any penalty. Marcus Ehning, riding Funky Fred, pleased the public while showing his talent. Same scenario for Harrie Smolders and his european silver medallist, Don VHP. The Dutch seems to be completely at his ease on this circuit as he successed in nearly all the legs. Evelina Tovek was then the next one to produce a clear round. Unknown to the general public, the twenty-four-year-old Swedish flied over the difficulties with her nine-year-old Castello 194. Till now they were performing in the Global Champions League, being fifth overall.

Apart from these three, none of the other twenty one duos managed to qualified for the jump off. Scott Brash and his For Pleasure, Hello Forever, finished fourth with the fastest round riddled with one fault. Before the big final, he is ranked sixth.

The jump off opposed three riders motivated to get the cup. Marcus Ehning has been the first one to go with a sustained pace. Unfortunately, his powerful Funky Fred pushed the penultimate fence. Harrie Smolders, thinking about his victory in the entier circuit, choose the security option. He finished his round with four seconds more than the German but without any penalty. The way was then clear for the unbelievable Evelina Tovek who managed the pressure and performed a wonderful wnning round with nearly two seconds less than the second.

A first victory at the top level for this yound rider trained by the champion Henrik van Eckermann.