“It won’t be long now,” prophesied the show-jumper Ludger Beerbaum. He was referring to a Chinese victory in the Longines Grand Prix on Sunday.
In the opening jumping competition of the Longines Equestrian Beijing Masters on Friday, the hosts claimed the top placings. Jirigala Erdeng took the victory with Brikibo vd Bosbeek, Tongyan Liu finished second with Ku Bu Qi.
The result can be understood as a statement regarding Sunday, because both riders made it clear that they have just one aim here in the legendary “Bird’s Nest”: to win. They put in correspondingly fast rounds, in spite of all her experience Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) had to make do with third place. And a further announcement proved that someone definitely intends to put words into action: Daniel Deusser (GER – “I am taking this here very seriously”), came fourth after jumping clear, ahead of Christian Ahlmann (GER) and Penelope Leprevost (FRA). Lauren Hough (USA) put in a brilliant performance. Her flight was so that she only had one minute preparation time with the horse, during this minute Ludger Beerbaum explained the course to her, which she subsequently mastered without picking up any faults – the ride earned her 8th place and lots of applause from her colleagues.
Riders and organizers of the “Longines Equestrian Beijing Masters”.
Photo: Longines Beijing Masters/Stefano Grasso
On Saturday the focus will be on the team competition, before the battle is on to win the Longines Grand Prix on Sunday.
www.longinesbeijingmasters.org
