Kraut Back on Top in Cannes

By Angelique Van Eijk June 20, 2013

It was a night of glamour in Cannes with packed VIP lodges looking on as the USA’s Laura Kraut regained her spot at the top of the Global Champions Tour circuit rankings.

Kraut ultimately wound up tenth in the grand prix, won by Germany’s Marcus Ehning, but her four-fault performance on Jubilee d’Ouilly was enough to nudge her ahead of Christian Ahlmann  (GER) and land her 10^th in the class June 15^th on the Croisette.

The event marked the fifth leg of the 13-stop GCT, sponsored by Longines.

Ehning delivered a 5* masterclass in the three-round contest and received $94,000 for his win in the  $374,500 Grand Prix of Cannes in style on his 16-year-old stallion Plot Blue.

The 48 riders that entered the Hesperides Arena under the lights on the French Riviera faced of the most difficult first- round courses in years, with some of the world’s most talented athletes clocking up faults (including Kraut with a one-rail ding).

The competition was staged Table A: two rounds with jump-off, second round against the clock.

Luciana Diniz (BRA) went into the Grand Prix as ranking leader but did not make it into the second round leaving the way open for Laura to take over.

Course designer Uliano Vezzani ensured only the strongest survived; it took 17 trips before the William Funnell (GBR) and Billy Congo went clear in round one.

At the conclusion of round two, there were five combinations double clear, teeing-up a dramatic jump off.

Ehning, whose motto is “never give up,” had the crowd gasping as he sliced off the corner to the Longines vertical and raced to the finish in 36.22. Funnell on his home-bred stallion continued in the vein that has earned him an impressive position on the circuit, finishing second in 37.33. Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) and VDL Groep Verdi were third in 37.47.

“I think it is best to just keep focusing on each individual competition,” Kraut said after the competition. “I was really pleased with Jubilee tonight, she jumped fantastic. The first round tonight was probably the biggest I have jumped, very big, very scopey. I am very lucky to have two super horses at this level,” she said, referencing her other A-mount, Cedric.

At 132 points Kraut is 8 points ahead of Ahlmann as the series heads for Monaco where the action runs June 27-30.

Of the tour through Cannes, local event president Francois Bourey said he was “really happy. We had bad weather the last month and the showground was completely flooded. It was terrible. But the sun came out and we had great sport this week.” His parting thoughts as the tour departed for Monaco: “I’m very sad there is no French rider on the podium, and it is a real pleasure to welcome Longines back in the sport.”

Complete results click here.

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