Longines Global Champions Tour 2022: Christian Kukuk triumphs at the Grand Prix in Rome
The Longines Global Champions Tour presented to the large audience in Rome, who filled the grandstands and the open-access areas of the Circus Maximus, an exciting Grand Prix, with the world’s best riders competing in a spectacular first round and a thrilling jump-off. The winner was German rider Christian Kukuk riding Mumbai (0/0/42.68), ahead of Olympic champion Ben Maher with Faltic HB (0/0/43.35) and Brazilian Marlon Zanotelli on Like a Diamond van het Schaeck (0/0/43.62).
The Gran Prix in Rome: The Longines Global Champions Tour Provides an Exciting Spectacle
The Longines Global Champions Tour, the “Formula 1 of Show Jumping” once again did not disappoint the thousands of fans of the world’s most exciting horse competition. In Rome, at the Circo Massimo, a gripping Grand Prix was held with the best riders. The prize was disputed during a hard-fought jump-off between 12 pairs. The winner was the German Christian Kukuk riding Mumbai (0/0/42.68) ahead of Olympic champion Ben Maher with Faltic HB (0/0/43.35) and the Brazilian Marlon Zanotelli on Like a Diamond van het Schaeck (0/0/43.62). Only fourth the world number one, the Swedish Henrik Von Heckermann on Iliana (0/0/44.20). At the end of the thirteenth leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour the ranking sees Christian Ahlmann on top, with 238 points, followed by Ben Maher, with 232 points, and Pieter Devos, with 221 points.
Head To Head Jump-Offs – Christian Kukuk vs Ben Maher | Longines Global Chanpions Tour Grand Prix of Rome
Christian Kukuk said:
This victory represents everything I have worked for. It is the result of so many sacrifices to get here, Mumbai has not let me down. I have been working hard for over ten years and I have always dreamt of winning a Longines Global Champions Tour competition. I am overjoyed right now and I am trembling with emotion because I realised that the breeder from Mumbai is here and it is also her birthday, so I am happy to have given her this special gift. I am thrilled to have obtained a pass for the Super Grand Prix in Prague. Thank you Rome, you are a wonderful city’.
Global Champions League – Rome 2022
For the Global Champions League, the team competition, the victory in the second and decisive round went to the London Knights (4/148.52), who beat the Berlin Eagles (8/144.52), and the Stockholm Hearts (8/144.98).
The winner of the 155 time trial – GCL – First Competition on Friday was the Turkish Omer Karaevli, riding Avant Toi (0/67.93) for the Istanbul Sultans, followed by Daniel Deusser from Germany (Saint Tropez Pirates) on Jasmien vd Bisschop (0/68.02),and Darragh Kenny from Ireland (Paris Panthers) on Volnay du Boisdeville (0/70.05).
The new ranking of the Global Champions League after the Rome leg sees the Berlin Eagles in first position with 262 points, followed by the Sockholm Hearts at 260 and the Shanghai Swans third with 217 points, with two legs to go.
All the Highlights of the Longines Global Champions Tour 2022 Edition in Rome
Appointment for all equestrian enthusiasts from 15 to 18 September for the FEI World Championships 2022 in the beautiful surroundings of Pratoni del Vivaro, near Rome, which promises to be a thrilling competition, too.
By Denisa Kucik
