Italy’s Zorzi Shines Among Stars in Monaco — Great Britain’s Brash 4th

Monaco was the 7th stop of the globetrotting CSI 5* Tour and League, which features the world’s best Show Jumping riders and horses competing at 15 locations in 2017. And the results from this latest event in the Mediterranean principality have shaken up the overall LGCT leaderboard, with Zorzi springing up into third place, while Christian Ahlmann’s second-place finish with Dolocia moved the German into the top spot, knocking the Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders into second. 

Speaking after his victory in the 1.60m Class, the modest Zorzi described how he was “so happy” with the result, adding that Cornetto had been “a super jumper” that evening. In the Grand Prix, the top three finishers took home a total of €204,000, with Zorzi’s paycheque €99,000, Ahlmann pocketing €60,000 and France’s Kevin Staut, on For Joy van’T Zorgvliet HDC, earning €45,000 for the duo’s third-place finish. Great Britain’s World No.8 Scott Brash also had a fantastic result on on Luc Musette’s course in Monaco, with his 11-year-old chestnut gelding Hello Forever, earning €30,000 as the fourth and final pair in the jump-off. Still, two poles down left them with eight faults, and the battle for the top two places came down to a question of speed, with Zorzi racing home in 37.80 seconds, ahead of Ahlmann with 38.20. 

This was clearly a top-class field of riders vying for the victory on the French Riviera, with World No.1 Kent Farrington and others in competition. And afterwards, the Italian champion collected his coveted prize from members of the Monaco royal family, themselves well-known equestrians.

As for the famous fans in attendance alongside thousands of members of the general public witnessing the event from different vantage points, there were other things to cheer about. While Jessica Springsteen, the daughter of ‘The Boss’, finished 17th in the Grand Prix with Cynar v., she and her Shanghai Swans teammates ended up in second in the League competition. For their part, the Gates’ daughter Jennifer did make it into the marquee Grand Prix but came in 24th with Luftikus 5. 

Results: Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco, Global Champions League