FEI LONGINES WORLD CUP RICHARD VOGEL HAS THE MIDAS TOUCH

It almost seemed inevitable; Germany's Richard Vogel, and his stallion United Touch S, was the only rider to take risks in the initial round, and the only one to try an option that would put him in a position to go very fast, with a view to a possible jump-off. And indeed, the riders had no time to hesitate during the initial round designed by French course designer Grégory Bodo, who was responsible for the Olympic courses in the gardens of the Château de Versailles this summer, and whose career really took off here in Lyon thanks to the 5* courses he designed for the Longines Equita Lyon Concours Hippique International a few years ago. Of the forty riders competing in this Longines FEI World Cup, four got caught out by the time limit, which meant no break in the rhythm was possible around the course. Indeed, some of the most experienced couples, such as the Swiss rider Steve Guerdat and his Dynamix de Belheme, the Olympic silver medallists, received two penalty points for exceeding the time limit, while Jeanne Sadran, the rising star of French jumping, and her horse Dexter de Kerglenn also ended with a penalty point. Nonetheless, ten couples finished the first round with a clean sheet, an absolutely perfect ratio of a quarter of the starters, who qualified for the jump-off.

What they said:
Richard Vogel - winner of the LONGINES FEI Jumping World Cup™ Lyon
"I  felt really good during the first round. The jump-off was really exciting. It wasn't easy to take off strides, even though my horse has a big amplitude in his stride, so I had to tighten up the turns. It's my first time here in Lyon but it certainly won't be my last! The atmosphere is incredible and the audience really gets behind us. The World Cup Final will be one of my goals for the season." 
Julien Anquetin - fourth in the LONGINES FEI Jumping World Cup™ Lyon, best French rider in the class

"Since I started first in the jump-off, I knew that there were some great riders to follow me. I did what I could today. They were just better and faster than me. As a Frenchman, when you come to Lyon, you obviously want to do well - it's one of the best competitions in the world. It's the first time I've had a clear round in the Grand Prix, so I'm obviously pleased. The spectators in Lyon are amazing, and all the foreign riders say the same thing." 
Results

1. Richard Vogel (GER) & United Touch – 0 / 0 / 37"36
2. Harrie Smolders (NED) & Monaco N.O.P. – 0 / 0 / 37"52
3. Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (SPA) & Legend – 0 / 0 / 37"62
4. Julien Anquetin (FRA) & Blood Diamond du Pont – 0 / 0 / 37"64
5. Gregory Wathelet (BEL) & Bond Jamesbond de Hay – 0 / 0 / 37"88