The first qualification competition for the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday took place this evening in the Palexpo in front of an enthusiastic audience. Today's main jumping competition, the Trophée de Genève, was won by German Daniel Deusser (on Calisto Blue), ahead of Belgian Pieter Devos (Espoir) and Frenchman Simon Delestre (Hermes Ryan). World Champion Simone Blum with starting number 20 was the first rider to qualify for the jump-off. She was followed by nine other competitors.
In this international jumping competition under Table A (against the clock, with jump-off), 24 starting places for the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday were allocated. Eight riders were already pre-qualified, including the three Swiss Steve Guerdat (as bronze medalist at the World Equestrian Games), Martin Fuchs (silver medalist World Equestrian Games) and Bryan Balsiger (as Swiss Champion). In addition, the two Americans Kent Farrington (defending title holder) and McLain Ward (medal winner at the Pan American Championships), the Dutchman Harrie Smolders (medalist at the European Championships), the Swede Peder Fredricson (Olympic bronze medalist and European champion) and the reigning World Champion from Germany, Simone Blum. Three more places will be allocated at the Rolex Top Ten IJRC tomorrow night, and the last five on Saturday at the Coupe de Genève.
The results and the list of qualified athletes are available online at: www.chi-geneve.ch/results.
Before the Trophée de Genève as main event of the evening another highlight of dressage took place earlier in the afternoon: Jiva Hill Stables presented the Grand Prix as qualifier for the Freestyle competition on Friday. The outstanding favorite Isabell Werth was in the lead for a long time and impressed once more with her dressage horse Emilio (77.609%). But Jessica von Bredow-Wemdl, who was the last starter to enter the arena in the Palexpo, was able to even outstrip her and take the victory at the end. In complete harmony with her wonderful mare TSF Dalera BB she won the Grand Prix with 79.217%.
