Release date: 08/05/2011 |    

Italian rider Guilia Martinengo had a fairytale finish to her Global Champions Tour weekend in Valencia today (8^th May) winning the final class on the program, the Trofeo Massimo Dutti.  The stylish rider did justice to the stylish fashion label sponsor, ‘Massimo Dutti’, winning with her speedy grey mare Chiclana 4.

Ten second round combinations chased fast times as Billy Twomey, (IRL) second to go, clocked 36.66 (3^rd) and was quickly rounded up by the next rider out in Luciana Diniz (POR) 35.53 (2^nd).

USA rider Lauren Hough looked very fast with the accomplished ‘Quick Study’ yet went over the finish line in 36.87 to place eventually 4^th.

Guilia rounded all the prior combinations up by nearly one second (34.72) thrilling the fully quoted spectators. She was never caught by the remaining five riders, including Dutch rider Maikel ven der Vlueten, who had placed 3^rd in the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Spain the prior evening.

Guilia was ecstatic with the win and very happy to be competing at this prestigious event.

“I knew going into the jump-off that I was going to have to try very hard to beat the prior times.”  She talked about her thoughts going into the jump-off.

“I knew that some very smart fast horses were coming after me.  It is the biggest show that I have ridden her at.”

“The horse had already been good the first day and she is competitive and powerful.  Day by day she has got better and has become more conscious of her own scope and jumped amazingly.”

It has not always been smooth sailing with this talented horse. “ I have had her for a year and a half but she was injured last year and I have only been competing her this year. It was a great show to be able to ride at, as a group of riders from our stables came to this event.  It has proved very successful and of course a lot of pleasure and I hope to do more at this level.”

A brilliant sunny afternoon concluded the program for the second round of the Global Champions Tour held in partnership with Oxer Sport at the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia.  This is one show that is a must for show jumping spectators on the 2012 calendar of show jumping events. The best venue, the best riders and the best showjumping, all synonymous with the Global Champions Tour.

The Global Champions Tour now moves to Hamburg, Germany (June 1-5).