Equestrianism: Pessoa piles on the points
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Rodrigo Pessoa's corner-shaving round on Gandini Lianos looked virtually unbeatable, but the gifted 29-year-old Brazilian saw two opponents come uncomfortably close in yesterday's World Cup qualifier before his first prize was secure.
Riding the 15-year-old Gandini Lianos, his mount when he won the world title in 1998, Pessoa achieved some agile twists and turns at the key second and third jump-off fences. But so did Switzerland's Markus Fuchs on Tinka's Boy and Germany's Markus Ehning on For Pleasure, who filled the next two places in a thrilling inish in which a mere 0.59sec separated the leading trio.
Robert Smith, the only Briton in the contest, had dropped out of contention with two errors on Mr Springfield in the opening round. Smith gained an impressive win here in Saturday's Two-Phase Competition with Marius Claudius, but elected to ride Mr Springfield, runner-up in a big contest on Friday night, yesterday.
"I decided on Mr Springfield because he'd only jumped in one class here and went so well in it," Smith said. "But he was a bit too sharp today."
Pessoa, who has finished in the top three in the last five World Cup finals has moved up to second place on the Western European League. He will be out to gain some more qualifying points at the next three World Cup shows: Berlin, Geneva and London's Olympia. "I want to get as many points as possible so I can have a good Christmas," he said.
VERONA WORLD CUP SHOW (Italy) Saturday: Two-Phase Competition: 1 Marius Claudius (R Smith, GB) clear, 22.56; 2 Collin (M Merschformann, Ger) clear, 23.21; 3 Kamea (A Lindelow, Swe) clear, 23.51. Yesterday: World Cup Qualifier: 1 Gandini Lianos (R Pessoa, Br) clear, 33.28; 2 Tinka's Boy (M Fuchs, Swit) clear, 33.51; 3 For Pleasure (M Ehning, Ger) clear, 33.87. GB: 27 Mr Springfield (R Smith) 8 faults in 1st round. Standings on Western European League of World Cup: 1 T Velin (Den) 38pts; 2 R Pessoa (Br) 37; 3 M Ehning (Ger) 30.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments