Lorenzo de Luca delivers Europe the first Riders Master Cup victory

Lorenzo de Luca delivers Europe the first Riders Master Cup victory
It was an exciting night at the Longines Masters in Paris as the first leg of the new Riders Masters Cup delivered a thrilling night in a battle scene between Europe and America. The crowd went wild and everybody loved the new concept. In two rounds different pairs battled it out, first on faults, second in a table C.

Eventually Europe took the first Cup on home soil with a total of nine points versus the six points of Robert Ridland's USA team. It all came down to the final duel between Lorenzo de Luca and Lauren Hough.

Europe was represented by Kevin Staut (Ayade de Septon et HDC, v. Wandor van de Mispelaere), Maikel van der Vleuten (Dana Blue, v. Mr. Blue), Gregory Wathelet (MJT NNevados S, v. Calvados Z), Jos Verlooy (Igor, v. Emerald van 't Ruytershof) and Lorenzo de Luca with Jeunesse van 't Paradijs (v. Emerald).

The USA-flag was represented by worldcup rider, Devin Ryan (Cooper, v. Unaniem), Chloe Reid (Sally 643, v. Salito), Laura Kraut (Viper Vrombautshoeve Z, v. Verdi), Reed Kessler (KSStakki, v. Stakkato Gold) and Lauren Hough (Waterford, v. Coolcorron Cool Diamond).

The first rider at the start of the second round was Devin Ryan with his 10-year-old KWPN-gelding. Ryan set the tone as he kept it clear while Kevin Staut and his 11-year sBs-mare, were fast but jumped one rail down. The tables were turned and the USA took the lead with 4 points vs. 3 points for Europe.

Also Maikel van der Vleuten jumped one rail down aboard Dana Blue. However everything was still possible as Chloe Reid's Sally is not the fastest horse around. Nevertheless the youngest competitor in this class took a strong and fast start and continued. In the end the combination had one rail down as well bringing Europe to five points in the lead again.

Laura Kraut was the next in the arena. Kraut had to compete against Gregory Wathelet who hadn't showed a very strong first round. Wathelet only had one goal in mind as Kraut took no risks. After this duel Europe enlarged the difference.

Jos Verlooy vs. Reed Kessler could have been the final duel for Europe to win. However, Verlooy and his 9-year-old BWP-gelding jumped one rail down, while Reed Kessler and her 12-year-old mare kept it clear, all was still possible for the USA.

Lauren Hough was the next one in the ring with her Dutch-bred, Waterford. Hough took a huge risk riding towards the double combination out of the turn, resulting in a refusal. For Lorenzo de Luca and his Belgian-bred, Jeunesse van 't Paradijs there was only one task left, keeping it clear...

The pair did it and delivered the first victory to Europe. The USA will take its revenge now on April, 2018.