Release date: 24/06/2011 |    

Alvaro de Miranda Neto (Brazil) & AD Ashleigh Drossel Dan winners of the Massimo Dutti 1.50m

Two Brazilians topped the podium in the opening 1.50m competition in Monaco on Thursday evening (23rd June)

Ten riders of the 47 starters headed into the jump-off with Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) initially setting a very tidy time of 37.18 with Let’s Fly early in the race. (Below picture)

The time set could only be clipped by his Brazilian compatriot Alvaro de Miranda Neto (Doda) riding the big grey AD Ashleigh Drossel Dan posting 35.76.  

“He won the Grand Prix at this year’s Doha stage, and came in 5th in Hamburg. The course was a little tougher this evening with bars that don’t weigh much, lighting, and small arena that all make for a challenging opening event,” he said, as he was cheered by the rest of the riders in the paddock.

American Laura Kraut (pictured left), who was out to jump-off 6 horses after Pessoa, steered Tierra  skillfully around the Frank Rothenberger (GER) designed track but could not improve on his time.  Laura finally rested to third position with her time of 39.22.

It was a very exciting competition with all ten jump-off riders taking on the challenge with no holds barred. At this point of the GCT circuit rounds,  (Monaco is the 5^th of the 10 rounds on offer) all riders are aiming for good performances and to take home the top prize money on offer.

Photo credit Stefano Grasso/GCT