King Robert Whitaker in Lausanne

Lausanne, September 2016 – Great Britain on top in the Longines Grand Prix of Lausanne on Sunday, September 11th in Lausanne, Switzerland, with Robert Whitaker leading the all-British podium at this scenic new show.

Riding Catwalk IV, the 13-year-old Holsteiner stallion (Colman x Corleone), he won the CSI5*’s biggest class: “The course was difficult but perfectly rideable – Whitaker said – Time was short, but I really wanted to win and had everything in my favor. The course was perfect for my horse. He is 13 and I’ve ridden him for give years. He wins a lot and is very powerful. This event was fantastic and if I’m invited back, I will return for sure.”

Designed by Michel Vaillancourt, the course made no double clear rounds, with just three riders of 42 clear in Round 1.

Whitaker could then claim victory with only one time penalty on round two, while his compatriots Emma O’Dwyer and HH Figero placed 2nd with a total of three time faults and William Funnell aboard Billy Congo, dropped in third position with 4, scoring the best time of all.

“It’s always easier to build a course when you perfectly know the horses and riders involved – Vaillancourt said – But I think I have created a worthy CSI5* course today. Although the time allowed was very short, this created a scenario that is often not met and it added suspense to the second round. And finally, the best won today.”

Click here to see complete results of the Longines Grand Prix of Lausanne

13th September 2016