Robert wins at LGCT in Madrid
It is certainly the biggest success that the Frenchman Olivier Robert could celebrate in his career so far. The victory in the jumping competition of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Madrid was a very special success.
Oliver Robert and his partner, the twelve-year-old Selle Francais gelding Vivaldi des Meneaux, have known each other for some time. Robert has been training the bay since young horse competitions.
From the round, only two pairs had made it into the jump-off. Olivier Robert and former world number one Scott Brash.
The jumping was characterized by demanding lines and a challenging height. Especially after such a long break as in equestrian sport, caused by the Corona Pandemic and the EHV, the course was a great challenge, even for many of the international top couples.
Britain's Brash set the pace in the jump-off with his gelding Hello Jefferson. He finished in just under 40 seconds. Certainly Brash had not expected the Frenchman to be going at such a pace.
At first, everything also looked as if Robert wanted to ride a slow and safe clear round. But then he suddenly increased the pace and took some turns tighter than Brash. In the end, this meant victory.
In the subsequent winner's interview, the rider from France was visibly emotional about the victory. He thanked his horse several times and also his team.
In the overall ranking of the Longines Global Champions Tour Scott Brash is currently in the lead.
