Scott Brash and Bon Ami II have won the Prince of Asturias Trophy with a timing of 44.08 seconds and clear round.

The Prince of Asturias Trophy, today’s main class at the CSIO Gijón, was a very exciting one and more than 15.000 people came to watch it. A very young Scott Brash has been the winner of the class with a timing of 44.08 seconds and was clear round. The class was Table A with jump-off.

FIRST VICTORY FOR GREAT BRITAIN 

The couple Scott Brash and his horse Bon Ami II competed yesterday in the Nations Cup with their national team and finished in second place, behind the Spanish national team. The rider, who was the last to go in the jump-off, recognizes the advantage of riding when you already know the timing of your rivals. “It is essential to know this, it has been a very tight class and very fast, and my horse had a very good performance”.

This is the first victory at the CSIO for an individual British rider and Scott thinks that is mate Nick Skelton “has a very good chance of winning tomorrow at the big class”.

The final raking of this class is the following:  Scott Brash and Bon Ami II (winner); Cian O’Connor and Carpe Diem (second place); Abdullah Al Sharbatly and Larkhill Cruiser (third place); Theo Muff and Acomet (fourth place); Geir Gulliksen and Storm 16 (fifth place).

ITALIAN RIDER ANTONIO ALFONSO WINS THE CAJA RURAL CLASS

Antonio Alfonso and Snai Boa Vista have won the 9th class of the CSIO Gijón with a timing of 26.76 seconds and clear round.

The Italian rider Antonio Alfonso has been the best of the 9th class at CSIO Gijón. The first round of the class was Table A not against the clock and only the riders that did not have the first seven obstacles down could go on to the next round. This second round was Table A against the clock and the course was a little bit shorter. The French Patrice Delaveau and Baritchou DTB were second with a timing of 27.16 seconds clear round; the Irish Cian O’Connor riding on Ballymore Eustace were third and also clear round.

The Spanish Jesús Garmendia, winner of the first and third classes at CSIO Gijón, completed the round with the best timing, 25.97 seconds, but had one down and finished 13th.

Antonio Alfonso was thrilled about the victory, first one for an Italian at the CSIO Gijón 2011. He hopes to keep up the good work and win again: “it is not easy to win a class at this show, but I will try my best in all the remaining classes”.

“It’s been a difficult class. Speed was very important and I knew that I had to do my best with my horse in order to win”.

The best riders of the class were the following: Antonio Alfonso and Snai Boa Vista (winner); Patrice Delaveau and Baritchou DBT (second place); Cian O’Connor and Ballymore Eustace (third place); Eugenie Angot and Ninio De Rox (fourth place); Peder Fredricson and H&M Cash In.