Roberto Previtali becomes the most successful rider of the IPPOS SPRING TOUR 2024 in Thessaloniki winning the LR Grand Prix Class 17. The final fourth day of the first edition of the Tour culminated on sunny Sunday 12 May with four events.
Morning session of the IPPOS SPRING TOUR 2024 started with the CSI 2* Class 15 – 135cm. The best of 16 horses was Magnus del Sole with Rachel Rinaldini of Brazil. Second place went to Greek rider Kriton Zafiropoulos with K Eloise and third place to Draško Dokič of Serbia with Fuerte.
Romanian rider Aurel Cojocariu dominated in the CSI 1* Class 16 – 125cm event which welcomed 35 horses. Cojocariu clocking 33.69 in jump-off with Azur de Pepinvast was the fastest also in Saturday´s competition in Class 13. Silver and bronze medals stayed in Greece going to Katerina Doubodel with Butterfly de Rhodes and Eleni Tzavopoulou with Amber Valletta.
Roberto Previtali fulfilled his goals with Esteban de Hus when he was clearly the best rider of the LR Grand Prix. Main competition of the whole tournament – CSI 2* Grand Prix – Class 17 – 145cm Longines ranking started with 22 horses fighting for the trophy. In the jump-off, Italian Previtali managed to go under 40 seconds with a clear run as the only competitor and won the precious trophy.
“I felt that my horses were in a big form on Thursday and Friday. So I tried to do my best at the Grand Prix. Esteban was already in shape in the first round and in the second round, he was very fast, and we did it,” said satisfied Previtali. “I always want to win – like everybody, I wanted to try it. On the first day, Hachiko won the big class, on Friday, it was Come on Semilly, only Esteban stayed without the title. So I am very happy for him. But at the same time, I am very sad for Come on because I touched the last fence in the first round. I think it was also my fault so I am a bit angry for that but it is OK. Now, I feel good for the victory. After this, I go home for a few days just to do some work with other horses. These three horses deserve a little bit rest and then I come back on Thursday,” explained Previtali his next plans.
“When you come to these shows, the aim is always to do a good ranking and to try to win the Grand Prix. I won both big Classes so I cannot complain and I am very happy for the whole Tour. I am looking forward to the next week,” he concluded.
After winning the LR Class 7 – 145cm with Come on Semilly on Friday, he becomes the most successful competitor of the whole event. Previtali willalso start at the IPPOS Spring Tour in Thessaloniki next weekend.
Bronze medal also went to Italy thanks to a performance of Andrea Messersi on Lady Royal Fortuna. “I take this day very positively. I confirmed the third place in the Grand Prix and Ilaria Zenobi, who trains with us came fifth. So I am very glad. This location is perfect, the arena, the accommodation and the placement is very good. I feel very grateful to Drasko and Anna who gave us great conditions and we will come back in October and next year too,” said Andrea Messersi.
Silver position of the Grand Prix stayed in Greece thanks to experienced Dimitri Natsis on Cresco.
“The Italian was very good and fast so I tried for a good ranking without taking a risk. I am very satisfied not only with today’s performance, but with what I did on the previous days as well. Cresco comes from a long racing break because I personally had an accident. I trust that the next four days Cresco will perform even better,” said Natsis.
“I did very well with the young horses as well. I believe in them because with them I will continue competing at a high level. Everyone is excited about the facilities. Ippos Club adds great value to Thessaloniki. In Greece, they are certainly the best equestrian facilities, and I could say they are equivalent to those of other European countries,” stated the silver rider.
The IPPOS Sprint Tour was concluded by the CSI 1* – Class 18 – 110cm. The last trophy of the Tour stayed on the Greek soil when it went to Emmeleia Oikonomopoulou with C-Implosion.
Big thank you goes to all participants, fans and supporters and also everyone who helped with the organization of the event. The whole organizing committee kindly invites all horse jumping fans to come and support competitors during the second edition of the IPPOS SPRING TOUR 2024 in Thessaloniki starting on Thursday 16 May until Sunday 19 May.