Egypt’s Sameh El Dahan wins at the LGCT in Paris – Allen second and Maher fourth in Grand Prix

In front of one of the iconic symbols of France, the Eiffel Tower, Egyptian rider Sameh El Dahan was the big winner at the Longines Global Champions Tour stop in Paris last Saturday – the eighth stage of the circuit created by Jan Tops. In the saddle of Suma’s Zorro, the rider topped the tie-breaking jump-off with a fast time of 36.32 s to go along with his 0 faults, leading to the playing of the Egyptian anthem from the arena-side speakers.

Talented Irish rider Bertram Allen was hot on El Dahan’s heels in the jump-off on Molly Malone V, with two clear rounds and a time of 36.86 s. And perennial favourite Dutchman Harrie Smolders, looking more and more comfortable with his World No.1 FEI ranking, finished the jump-off in 37.06 s on Don VHP Z NOP, claiming third.

Just missing out on the podium in the French capital was Great Britain’s Ben Maher, who nevertheless strengthened his lead in the overall Tour standings thanks to his performance on Explosion W. Another Dutch rider, Marc Houtzager, came in fifth with Sterrehof’s Calimero, while the Belgian Pieter Devos was the last athlete able to finish the two-part class with no faults, leaving behind compatriots Olivier Philippaerts on H & M Legend of Love and Gregory Wathelet on MJT Nevados S.

The current European champion, Peder Fredricson of Sweden, finished ninth with Hansson WI, while Australian Edwina Tops-Alexander got the tenth place spot on California, ahead of the Frenchman Philippe Rozier – the top finisher for the disappointing home side, in 11th place on Cristallo A LM. After Paris, the overall LGCT standings have Maher in the lead with 205 points,  ahead of Tops-Alexander with 199 and Smolders with 176.