Sixth edition and first in France, the CSI 5* of the Longines Athina Onassis Horse Show presented in one week in Ramatuelle, already promises sporting confrontations of the highest level.
17 nations (South Africa, Germany, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Spain, France, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Ukraine, USA, Venezuela) responded favourably to the invitation of Brazilian rider Alvaro Alfonso de Miranda Neto and his wife Athina Onassis de Miranda, at the head of the event.
Two months before the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, the couples competing will enjoy the Mediterranean sun to perfect their preparation. In the 35 riders participating in the CSI 5*, some great foreign champions will be serious opponents:
- Belgium Grégory WATHELET (World no.21, 4th by team in the World Championships 2006)
Jos LANSINK (World champion 2006), Nicola PHILIPPAERTS (World no.38, European Young Riders champion 2011);
- Brazilian Alvaro Affonso DE MIRANDA NETO (World no.27, team bronze medallist at the 2000 O.G.), Rodrigo PESSOA (Olympic champion 2004, 4th in the World Championships 2010);
- Spanish Sergio ALVAREZ MOYA (11th by team in the World Championships 2010, 10th by team in the Euro 2013, 4th in the 2013 World Cup final);
- British Scott BRASH (World no.1, Olympic team champion and European team champion, bronze medal in the 2014 World Cup final), Ben MAHER (World no.2, Olympic team champion and European team champion);
- German Marcus EHNING (World no.4, World team champion, Olympic team champion 2000), Daniel DEUSSER (World no.7, winner of the 2014 World Cup final, European team vice-champion 2013); Hans-Dieter DREHER (World no.24) Meredith MICHAELS BEERBAUM (World no.40, World team champion);
- Irish Denis LYNCH (World no.32);
- Dutch Gerco SCHRODER (World no.17, Olympic individual champion and Olympic team champion, World team champion 2006);
- Swiss Steve GUERDAT (World no.10, Olympic champion);
- American Laura KRAUT (World no.22, Olympic team champion 2008, World team vice- champion 2006), Reed KESSLER (World no.29, 6th by team at the 2012 O.G.).
The French team will count on some of their best members to compete in the 5 tests with the Longines Grand Prix as the highlight of the event:
- Roger Yves BOST (World no.12, European champion), Simon DELESTRE (World no.16), Pénélope LEPREVOST (World no.14, World team vice-champion), Julien EPAILLARD (World no.46), Aymeric DE PONNAT (member of the winning team of the 2013 Nations Cup Final, 4th by team in the Euro 2013).
The CSI 5* stays the highest level of difficulties of these 3 days of competition, but the CSI 2* held at the same time and only for the experienced amateur riders will welcome 42 competitors from 13 nations (Saudi Arabia, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Spain, France, Great Britain, Italy, Mexico, Switzerland, Turkey, USA, Venezuela).
Great sport on the horizon…
PM
