Danielle Goldstein brilliant in Shanghai

Only nine riders over thirty-four athletes managed to qualify themselves for the jump-off of the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Shanghai. First to go in this second round, Darragh Kenny set the bar really high. His talented Balou de Reventon offered to the Irish an amazing and fast clear round in 38’’06. Under pressure, the task was really difficult for his opponents, starting with the Italian Alberto Zorzi as Ulane de Coquerie refused the combination. Faster than the Irish, Belgium’s Pieter Devos on Apart was very close to the double after his victory in Miami with Claire Z. Unfortunately, four faults on the second to last oxer took away the victory from the pair. Slower anyway, Dutch Marc Houtzager on Sterrehof’s Calimero finished his jump-off with four faults on the very last fence. The scenario was the same for Belgium’s Niels Bruynseels on Delux van T&L, his amazing Toulon’s son with whom he got a fifth-place last month during the World Cup Final in Goteborg. 

Second to last, Danielle Goldstein did not take all the risks at the beginning of her jump off, but she let her extraordinary Lizziemary free to show all her talent during the second part and finished her jump-off in only 37’’98. “I am really delighted today. My horse jumped amazing and it all worked out for me. I didn’t nail the first line the way I’d have liked, but I made it up somewhere else. This is the one everyone wants to win — we’ve come a long way, so this has made it all worthwhile and the crowd has been amazing. I love China and have been here many times so be able to come here and feel I’ve inspired young girls — everybody — is amazing.”, told the athletes after her performance. With VDL Glasgow V. Merelsnet, Jur Vrieling completed the podium slightly ahead of Luciana Diniz and Camargo who had to settle for the fourth place. 

Only British in this Grand Prix, William Whitaker did not qualify himself for the jump-off as he finished his first round with eight faults on RMF Charly.

Despite his fifth position in Shanghai, Belgium’s Pieter Devos is still leading the overall ranking, followed by his compatriot Niels Bruynseels and Germany’s Daniel Deusser.

Shanghai results here :

Overall ranking here :