Release date: 03/09/2011 |    

Fashion Mall - Table A against the clock

Hans-Deiter Dreher (GER) and Constantin B

The first international class of the Global Champions Tour of Rio de Janeiro delivered several surprises as a string of leading riders failed to go clear.

With a packed field of 60 competitors, the 25.000€ Fashion Mall Prize against the clock started in early rain at the Brazilian Equestrian Society showground.

Hans-Deiter Dreher (GER) and Constantin B

Belgian course designer Luc Musette created an appealing start for the week-end with a few options for those hungry for speed and prizemoney. But that doesn’t mean it was a soft battle for victory.

In their attempt to go fast Ben Maher and Roger Yves Bost were stopped by fence nine after a tricky turn to an upright. Always-fast Rodrigo Pessoa on Palouchin saw his try coming to an end on fence 2 and Ciana Z with Simon Delestre hit the brakes halfway through the course.

Actually none of the ‘known’ Brazilians made a real good impression on the first day. It was Andre de Miranda who kept the local pride high setting the first reference time and finishing in 7th.

Cassio Rivetti, (above) Brazilian by birth but now riding for the Ukraine on Bockmann's Lazio was quite confident after his round. His time of 57.49 seconds was fast but not unbeatable. The young Swiss Janika Sprunger rode an exact copy of Rivetti’s round and also crossed the finishline in 57.49, putting the both of them in = 2nd place.

USA rider Laura Kraut & Dona Evita

For many the victory came from an unexpected corner. Hans Dieter Dreher, the revelation of Aachen set Constantin on fire and stopped the watch in an amazing time of 57.12 seconds. “I saw Cassio’s round and I knew Constantin could do better, she won so much already this season.” Says the German who’s career skyrocketed in the last months” He lives near the German-Swiss border not far from Basel: “It’s great to be here, the show is amazing, I don’t think you can improve anything, I’m still looking but I can’t find a thing."

With Rivetti and Sprunger in joined second, Laura Kraut took her 8 year old Belgian mare Dona Evita to a fourth place.

Photo credits; Stefano Grasso/GCT