Robert Whitaker wins Longines Grand Prix at International Horse Show of Lausanne

Riding Catwalk IV, Whitaker lead the way and took top spot on the podium from compatriots Emma O’Dwyer with HHS Figero in second and William Funnell with Billy Congo in third place.

From a starting field of 42 horse and rider combinations, only three riders – the French duo of Timothee Anciaume and Patrice Delaveau and Sweden’s Douglas Lindelöw managed to produce clear rounds over the opening track of this 1.60m Grand Prix.

They were joined by four riders on one single time penalty, and six of the fastest other combinations on with one rail down who moved on to the second and final round.

However, it would turn out that there would be no double clear rounds in this testing class. Whitaker and Colman x Corleone were the best combination with a single time fault picked up over the first round track, and then going clear in the second to finish on one penalty in total.

O’Dwyer on HHS Figero also went over the time allowed in both the first and the second rounds to record three penalties in total. However, it was still good enough for the second place as none of those clear in the first round managed to repeat their performances in round two.

Funnell completed the British trio at the top and on the podium, as riding Billy Congo they accrued four faults from the first round, followed by a fast clear in round two.

Lindelöw with Zacramento had a pole fall in the second round, to finish fourth, whilst fifth place went to home rider Romain Duguet on Quorida de Treho who recorded five penalties in total.

As well as picking up €89.100,00 in prize money, Whitaker also received an elegant Longines watch from Christophe Jeanneret, Longines Brand Manager of the Swiss Market.

The Longines Grand Prix was one of the highlights of the first edition of the Longines International Horse Show of Lausanne in Switzerland.

The Swiss watch brand has strengthened its commitment to discover the champions of tomorrow by organizing the competition “Grand Prix des Talents Longines”.

The concept developed by Longines and the organizing committee of the International Longines Horse Show of Lausanne provides the next generation of riders with the chance to compete in a high level competition which counts for the world ranking in show jumping, the Longines Rankings.

Some 30 riders from nine different countries participated at the international contest limited to young riders beyond the age of 25, which was won by Switzerland’s Morgane Dassio on Horst van de Mispelaere.

Longines International Horse Show of Lausanne 2016
Result – Grand Prix Longines de la Ville de Lausanne 2016

1 Catwalk IV Robert Whitaker Great Britain 1 fault/60.99 seconds
2 HHS Figero Emma O’Dwyer Great Britain 2/62.07
3 Billy Congo William Funnell Great Britain 4/55.97
4 Zacramento Douglas Lindelöw Sweden 4/57.87
5 Quorida de Treho Romain Duguet Switzerland 5/57.00
6 Kiamon Timothee Anciaume France 5/62.61
7 Admirable Marie Etter-Pellegrin Switzerland 8/53.83
8 Air Pia VG Z Jonna Ekberg Sweden 8/55.38
9 Lord Pepsi Paul Estermann Switzerland 8/56.54
10 Nirvana Basters Frederique Fabre Delbos Switzerland 9/59.45
11 Orient Express Hdc Patrice Delaveau France 12/56.88
12 Brilliant du Rouet Roberto Teran Tafur Colombia 12/59.48
13 Cassis Lucy Davis USA 13/61.23