Longines streak continues for Nassar and Lordan in Las Vegas

By Catie Staszak

Just a week after topping the World Cup qualifier in Thermal (USA), Nayel Nassar (EGY) and his longtime partner Lordan led another victory gallop after clinching the $135,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Las Vegas (USA).

Nassar, 27, and his 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding were fastest in a six-horse jump-off set by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA). The pair used their natural foot speed and tidiness to their advantage, coming through the timers in 34.57 seconds, over a second fastest than their closest competitors. It was an international podium, with Wilhelm Genn (GER) and Bugatti earning runner-up honors (35.73 seconds) and Harley Brown (AUS) and Mylord Cornet finishing third (40.34 seconds).

“It was a fast jump-off,” Nassar said. “Wilhelm set a really tough time to beat, and he was really efficient everywhere on a horse that has a bigger stride than mine. I just knew I had to be nice and neat in the turns and not go too crazy down the long lines.”

The top three were the only combinations to turn in double-clear rounds on the evening. Brown was the first to navigate the jump-off without fault, but he was forced to take a more conservative route with his less experienced 8-year-old. Genn, who won Sacramento’s (USA) World Cup qualifier in October, jumped ahead by nearly four seconds with an outstanding right turn to the jump-off’s second fence and a bold gallop down to the final obstacle. As the last to go, Nassar knew exactly what he had to do to win his second straight World Cup qualifier, and he executed, despite having a precarious rub two fences from home.

“I had the luck of the draw a little bit. I had the pole position coming in,” Nassar said. “It always helps when you know what you need to do, and I relish the pressure as well. Lordan can feel that, too; I was getting tingly walking in [the ring], and he really tried his heart out.”

Shifting Standings

Richard Spooner (USA) may have been kept off the podium, but he took over the lead in the west coast sub league standings of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League with his fourth-place finish aboard Quirado RC. He now boasts 49 points, one ahead of Eve Jobs (USA). Nassar moved up to third in the standings; he now boasts 46 points.

“[Quirado RC] is just knocking my socks off,” Spooner said. “He’s been unbelievable in the World Cup season. He’s a huge horse—he’s about 18.1, maybe 18.2 hands—but he somehow is still very elastic with his body. I just feel graced every time I get to ride him, because the power that you feel with that horse is absolutely awesome.”

Genn took over second in the east coast sub league standings, behind only Molly Ashe Cawley’s (USA) league leading 55 points. Genn has 47 points, one ahead of defending World Cup Champion Beezie Madden (USA).

“Bugatti is 12, and every year when I take him to a new level, and I think it is about as big as he can jump, he surprises me and makes it work,” Genn said. “Who knows what the future brings? I’m super proud of him.”

After a brief holiday, the North American League resumes in Guadalajara (MEX) on 26 January 2019.

Results

1. Lordan, Nayel Nassar (EGY) 0/0 34.57

2. Bugatti, Wilhelm Genn (GER) 0/0 35.73

3. Mylord Cornet, Harley Brown (AUS) 0/0 40.34

4. Quirado RC, Richard Spooner (USA) 0/4 33.50

5. Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili, Kristen Vanderveen (USA) 0/4 33.75

6. Monaco, Jennifer Gates (USA) 0/4 34.88

7. Chela LS, Ashlee Bond (USA) 4 69.57

8. Amice Z, Charlie Jayne (USA) 4 73.70

9. Chameur, Georgina Bloomberg (USA) 4 73.94

10. Clockwise of Greenhill Z, Uma O’Neill (USA) 4 74.23

Full results can be viewed here

Nayel Nassar (EGY) – 1^st

“I’ve had a really long year. I’ve had a lot of great experiences in Europe jumping some really big tracks. I just feel like I’ve grown a lot as a rider this year. Thanks to Evergate Stables, I have a deeper string than I usually do, which allows me to rest Lordan and use him as sparingly as possible. He’s just jumping really great right now.”

Wilhelm Genn (GER) — 2^nd

“[I knew my time would hold up] only if Nayel had a rail. I knew he was going to be faster, but I’m super happy with my horse. He was great, and he’s had a great circuit.”

Harley Brown (AUS) — 3^rd

“This was [Mylord Cornet’s] third World Cup. He’s eight years old, and to say he’s not the easiest horse to ride may be an understatement. He’s getting a little better and a little easier. He’s very careful and has got a lot of jump. My plan was just to do as best as I possibly could, and he exceeded that. I’m really happy.”

Standings: Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League — West Coast

1. Richard Spooner (USA) 49

2. Eve Jobs (USA) 48

3. Nayel Nassar (EGY) 46

4. Zazou Hoffman (USA) 32

5. Uma O’Neill (USA) 31

6. Nicole Shahinian-Simpson (USA) 31

7. Jamie Barge (USA) 28

8. Kelli Cruciotti (USA) 27

9. Eduardo Menezes (BRA) 21

9. Karrie Rufer (USA) 21

11. Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX) 20

Full standings can be viewed here

Standings: Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League — East Coast

1. Molly Ashe Cawley (USA) 55

2. Wilhelm Genn (GER) 47

3. Elizabeth Madden (USA) 46

4. McLain Ward (USA) 45

5. Lucy Davis (USA) 40

6. Georgina Bloomberg (USA) 36

7. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) 28

8. Laura Kraut (USA) 27

9. Mattias Tromp (USA) 27

10. Devin Ryan (USA) 26

Full standings can be viewed here