Robin de Ponthual and Peter Lutz. Photo By: SportFot.
Calgary, Alberta – June 19, 2016 – When Katherine Gallagher and Michael Meller purchased Robin de Ponthual for Peter Lutz two years ago, they had high hopes for the talented gelding. On Sunday, those dreams came to fruition as the pair galloped to their first CSI5* victory during the $375,000 CP Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows.
Lutz and Robin de Ponthual’s partnership really came together over the last year with a win in the Las Vegas World Cup Grand Prix and a top 20 finish at the Longines FEI Show Jumping World Cup Finals in Gothenburg, Sweden. However, on Sunday, they scored their biggest victory yet when they topped the three-horse jump-off in the $375,000 CP Grand Prix CSI5*.
“Spruce Meadows is an incredible international venue where you compete against some of the best athletes in the world,” said Meller. “I am so proud of Peter and Robin. They have an amazing partnership and they really rose to the occasion here.”
Thirty-two athletes turned out for the week’s highlight event, but only three were able to complete the first round course without error. Charlie Jacobs and Cassinja S set the time to beat as the first to return for the tiebreaker with a clear round. Lutz and Robin de Ponthual were last to return, and Lutz knew they would need to be clear and efficient to take home the win.
“Charlie didn’t make it easy, but I knew there were a couple places that I could be a little tighter,” explained Lutz. “We were just committed to going for the win, going a little bit faster and taking a shot.”
Lutz continued, “Robin really felt like he was on great form this week. He was good last week, but I think both of us just needed to take in the environment and the atmosphere. We both learned from experience last week. This week we felt really comfortable and more relaxed. Robin really jumped beautifully today and I was so proud of him.”
Earlier in the week, Lutz and the 11-year-old Selle Français gelding placed third in Friday’s Scotiabank Cup with one time fault. Only one athlete was faultless during Friday’s difficult class. Lutz also competed aboard Retiro on Saturday, continuing the top results for Gallagher and Meller with a double clear and fourth place finish in the 1.50m Repsol Cup.
“We’re really pleased with Retiro’s progress,” noted Lutz. “He has just been getting better and better each show. Yesterday, there were not many clear. He jumped the height easily and we feel like we are really getting to know him. He was especially good in the jump-off. He is learning to turn and gallop to the jumps so I was really pleased with him.”
Meller concluded, “This has been an incredible week for the team here. There was a big learning curve last week, but we made a plan for this week and it really paid off. Peter, Robin and the entire team have worked really hard for this win, and it is so exciting to see it all come together like this.”
While Robin de Ponthual and Retiro compete in North America, E2 Show Jumpers will also continue to compete with their talented group of horses in Europe with riders Stacy Babes and Dan Walsh. Founded by Katherine Gallagher, Michael Meller and Dan Walsh, the mission of E2 Show Jumpers is to find and produce some of the world’s top young show jumping mounts.
For more information, please visit E2ShowJumpers.com.
Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
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