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International Jumping Riders Club
Emanuele Gaudiano throws caution to the wind to win in Madrid
5 May - The final class of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Madrid event, the Copa Del Rey Trophy, was won by Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) and Cocoshynsky in front of a full house at the stunning Club de Campo Villa de Madrid. Second place went to Patrice Delaveau (FRA) and Orient Express HDC and 3rd to John Whitaker (GBR) and Argento. Her Royal Highness Elena María Isabel Dominica de Silos, Infanta of Spain, Duchess of Lugo was in attendance for this special occasion and presented the trophy to the very happy winner.
Gaudiano, who is currently ranked 2nd in the LGCT Championship, has looked primed for a win since his great performance in the LGCT of Antwerp Grand Prix last weekend. The brave Italian dared his horse at every turn in the jump-off, pulling off a spectacular final round. John Whitaker and Argento were the first of the six clears through to the second round to tackle Santiago Varela’s demanding course, setting a time of 55.18s. Patrice Delaveau and Orient Express HDC looked like the ones to beat from the start, making the technical first round look easy where other experienced combinations had struggled. Though the Frenchman was able to snatch just under a second from Whitaker’s time, Gaudiano was last to go and knew exactly what was needed to win - he threw caution to the wind to claim the victory with a time of 51.53s.
The crowds cheered the riders’ fantastic performances this evening as they took their lap of honour in the setting sun. Nearly 30,000 visitors have attended the three-day show, enjoying beautiful sunshine every day at this incredible venue. Looking ahead to next round of the LGCT 2014 in Hamburg (29 May - 1 June), we are sure to see an electrifying Grand Prix. With the top four riders in the LGCT Championship ranking - Eric Lamaze (CAN), Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA), Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) and Bassem Hassan Mohammed (QAT) - separated by just 1 point, there is all to play for.