There were only two in the jump-off for the 5-star grand prix at Saint-Tropez, France, on Friday, as the other 41 competitors were stumped along the route laid out by a team whose leader was 2024 Olympic course designer Gregory Bodo.
Marlon Modolo Zanotelli was the easy winner on Charly Hart, a 10-year-old son of Cornet Obolensky, who handled the jump-off in 43.30 seconds.
Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and Charly Hart.
The runner-up, Mark McAuley of Ireland on Rossi vd Heffinck — a nine-year-old by another great sire, Diamant de Semilly– handled the route in 44.85 seconds.
Third place went to 16-year-old veteran King Edward, in his best finish this year. He was ridden, as always, by former world number one Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden, who had two penalties in the first round for exceeding the 79-second time allowed.
The top American finisher was Kristen Vanderveen on Bull Run’s Jireh, seventh with a rail down in the first round. The only other U.S. starter, Laura Kraut, was eliminated on Dorado.
The action heats up again Sunday in the last of the Longines League of Nations qualifiers before the final in Barcelona next month. Both Kristen and Laura are on the U.S. team, along with Paris Sellon and McKayla Langmeier. Click here for grand prix results.