Luger Beerbaum and Chaman take CSI3* Grand Prix Lyon on Sunday evening



20 April 2014 - The highlight of the CSI3*, the Grand Prix Airbus Group, put on a display of spectacular show-jumping for the public in Lyon on Sunday evening at Eurexpo. With many finalists from the World Cup participating, the line-up for the class was of the highest level, just like the course, which caught out a quite a few horses in the first leg of the class. The difficult combinations and the very short time limit (unlike the World Cup class yesterday) put paid to many ambitions. Only eight riders managed to qualify for the jump-off. Setting off first in the final timed stage, the American Ashlee Clarke completed a perfect, fast round and put immediate pressure on her rivals, forcing them to take risks to have a hope of winning. All of them rose to the challenge thrown down by the American and the times kept going down.

Finally, it was the master, Luger Beerbaum, who triumphed at the end of an incredible jump-off with his trusty Chaman: "My horse feels really good in this arena. He was already fantastic in the hunter class of the World Cup in which he finished third, and I have every confidence in him," said the German rider, who was happy to share this victory with the horse's owner, Madeleine Winter Schulze.
He finished ahead of another old hand, the British rider Michael Whitaker on his experienced Amai. The last step of the podium went to Eugénie Angot on her mare Davendy S: "I finished third and I have no regrets. The horse is extremely careful, and needs to feel confident and in good form. I can't expect that from her in every round, every weekend. I need to protect her a bit, but it's true that when she is really in the mood and on form, she is quite formidable," said the rider after being warmly congratulated by the national trainer Philippe Guerdat.
source: http://www.feiworldcupfinals-lyon.com/