Zanotelli dominates as ‘solid’ Extra van Essene shines again
DOHA, Novmeber 11, 2017 - Brazilian showjumping star Marlon Módolo Zanotelli Friday combined with 'trusted' aide Extra van Essene in remarkable fashion to storm to his second major win on day two of the final round of the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT).
Zanotelli, who had bagged the honours in the 1.45m class on Thursday with Extra van Essene, showed yesterday why he relies on the 13-year-old gelding for wins as the two scooped the top prize in the 1.50m jump-off class with a sublime routine under lights at Al Shaqab Arena.
Extra van Essene, showing the same pedigree it exhibited on Thursday, clocked an impressive time of 50.42 seconds to complete Zanotelli's resounding win on Frdiay.
The Brazilian, who won just €8,250 for his efforts on Thursday, yesterday got richer by €30.360 for his second win in Doha. LGTC world champion Harrie Smolders of the Netherlands also enjoyed another smooth ride with Zinius, claiming the second spot in a time of 50.75 seconds. Smolders received €18,400.
American rider Lauren Hough (Waterford, 52.22 seconds) grabbed the third spot in the jump-off.
Dutch rider Kevin Jochems (Captain Cooper, 53.12 seconds) and Germany's Daniel Deusser (Tobago Z, 54.87 seconds) completed the day's five top riders.
“It was a great ride by Extra. I think it likes the arena. We had great pace yesterday also," Zanotelli said yesterday. “I think we had the advantage of watching the other riders go in first. That helped us settle down and look for the best moves," Zanotelli added.
“It's another fantastic win for me. I'm happy with my horse," the Brazilian said.
“The horse is jumping amazingly. He's fantastic and so careful, and he can really gallop. He makes my life easier!
Harrie (Smolders) is one of the fastest riders in the world – to see him go was a chance for me to watch, and then I just hoped for the best," the Brazilian added.
Two-time Global Champions Tour winner Edwina Tops-Alexander guided Inca Boy van T Vianahof to a sixth-place finish in a time of 57.78 seconds.
Earlier Friday at the same venue, Mubarak Yousuf Al Rumaihi and his 15-year-old chestnut gelding Vivaldi K won the Big Tour 1.30/1.40m (Table A: Against the Clock) class on day two of the third round of the Hathab Series.
On Saturday, the action continues at Al Shaqab with two national competitions in the third round of the Hathab Series. The second GCL Competition (against the clock, 1.55/1.60m) will kick off at 2.00pm followed by the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha that starts at 6:00pm.
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