WELLINGTON, Fla.--Richie Vogel of Germany on Gangster Montdesir won the $500,000, CSI5* Grand Prix over a field of top riders in the world on Saturday evening, Feb. 7 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Richie Vogel on Gangster Mondesir (Photo by Ssportfot)Three of the world’s top 10 placed first, second and third in the Grand Prix on Saturday Night Lights over a course set by Gregory Bodo of France.
World ranked number 6 Vogel on his 10-year-old new star Gangster Montdesir was clean in 42.65 to win the first of four five-star events at WEF by three-tenths of a second over British Olympic Champion Ben Maher on Enjeu de Grisien, clean in 42.95.
World number 8, 26-year-old Nina Mallevaey of France was third in 43.37 seconds on Dynastie de Beaufour.
Lillie Keenan, world ranked 29th, on Argan de Beliard was fourth in 44.36, and world number 2 Kent Farrington on Greya was fifth, fastest of the four-faulters in 40.43.
At only 10, Gangster Montdesir already has two five-star grand prix wins after also winning in Lyon last October
“IT'S A VERY exciting addition to my string,” said Vogel of the stallion. “He arrived last September, so a new partnership, but right away I had a super feeling with him. He always wanted to do a good job from the very first show. I couldn’t wish for anything more than how he jumped tonight and how he was fighting for us.”
Ben Maher on Enjeu de Grisien (Photo by Sportfot)"This was quite thrilling for me," said Vogel, who jumped close to the end in the jump-off, followed by Maher and Keenan. "He jumped out of his skin. There were two very fast behind me."
“I could stay on the gallop, and I think that’s what saved me," said Vogel. "I didn’t have the tightest turns but kept the flow everywhere to stay in rhythm.”
Vogel has jumped four five-stars with Gangster Montdesir and has been clear in each one.
“If you get such a talented horse stepping up so quickly, you always must find a balance," said Vogel. "We want great nights like tonight, but we never want to over-face the horse. Right now, he feels highly motivated and very game. He’s green at this level, but we have high hopes for him."
Maher, currently world number. 3, was second on Enjeu de Grisien.
“I’ve had him since he was 7 years old, so we’ve grown up together,” said Maher. “He’s always been in the shadows of some of the other horses, and he’s had to step up in previous months. He’s really taken the role on well. He’s been a little unlucky here and there, but he’s a very sharp, high-energy horse, and he’s an incredible learner. That’s been his biggest asset; he really wants to be a great horse.”
After skyrocketing up the global rankings over the last year to now sit No. 8 as the highest-ranked woman in the world, Mallevaey was third on Dynastie de Beaufour.
“It has been a really fast year with a lot of change, but I think that’s a result of the amazing team around me,” said Mallevaey, reigning French National Champion. “I have incredible horses and incredible people. That’s what brings me here today.”
“She jumped her first five-star with me when she was 11,” said Mallevaey, who has since ridden the mare to 11 consecutive five-star clears at 1.60m, making her the eighth horse to achieve a streak that long in modern history. “She feels like she could do anything. I’m lucky to have a horse like her. I give everything for this sport and my passion for the horses. I hope this success will continue.”
“Wellington is our home in the winter months," said Vogel. "It’s my fifth circuit here, and it has always been good to us, good to our horses. Every year, we can step up a couple of new, younger, exciting horses, and Gangster is the one this year.”
