Foto: Sieger Julien Epaillard in der Mitte nebst dem Zweitplatzierten Scott Brash (links) und dem Dritten Gerco Schröder (rechts) - Fotograf: CSI5* Hong Kong
French rider Julien Epaillard won tonight¹s thrilling $US85,000 Longines Speed Challenge in front of a capacity crowd.
In what was a very tight finish, Epaillard took out the event in a time of 59.81 sec with current FEI World Number 1 ranked Scott Brash finishing in second place just .25 seconds slower.
Epaillard is no stranger to success at the Longines Hong Kong Masters having won the opening class at the event last year.
Tonight the 37-year-old Frenchman was riding 12-year-old gelding Pigmalion du Rozel and was relieved to hold off a late challenge by UK rider Scott Brash on his 11-year-old mare Hello Annie.
³It was a big stress for me as Scott is such a fast rider and and he was the last to come out. I was very nervous watching his round and very happy to hold on and win,² said Epaillard.
Dutchman Gerco Schroder finished in third position on Glock¹s Prince de Vaux.
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