Monte-Carlo, Monaco – For the second time, Belgian Olympian Ludo Philippaerts received a princely sum for his victory in the Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco held Saturday, June 24. Having received accolades from Prince Rainier for his victory in 2001, this time the 43-year-old was presented with the trophy by Prince Albert II of Monaco. In the third leg of the Global Champions Tour, Philippaerts turned in a time of 37.45 seconds to be the fastest rider in the jump-off with Parco. He edged his fellow countryman, Francois Mathy Jr. riding Ivoire du Rouet who stopped the clock at 40.21 seconds while Great Britain's Richard Davenport, first to challenge the shortened jump-off course with Nelson Z, settled for third with 40.40 seconds.

In the first round, 2004 Athens Olympics course designer Olaf Petersen (GER) separated the wheat from the shaft with a course of 12 obstacles comprised of 15 jumps. 12 of the 33 participants posted clear rounds to advance to the second round where they were joined by the six fastest four-fault riders. Negotiating the challenging course in an arena measuring 90m x 30m was a tricky task for riders and horses alike. "The arena here is better than last year's circus tent, but it still quite narrow," remarked Ludo Philippaerts following the win that netted him a 50,000 Euro paycheque. "My horse is very powerful and when I walked the course, I did not think I could turn him so quickly. Yet I went for the victory."

The second round with nine obstacles and 10 jumps was less demanding and produced nine more clears to give the crowd an exciting jump-off. Jessica Kürten of Ireland, the final challenger in the jump-off, had captured the public’s heart with her fighting spirit and luminous smile in the first two rounds and was certainly the crowd favourite for the win. While she did produce the fastest time with 36.96 seconds, one mistake saw her settle for fifth place with Castle Forbes Libertina. With top placings in all seven classes at CSI Monaco, she was the most successful rider of the show.

Ludo Philippaerts had a special reason to be proud of his grey stallion. "Five days ago we had to put down Parco’s father, Darco, at the age of 26 due to a bad injury. For me, Parco’s win is the most beautiful gift to his father."

The next stage of the Global Champions Tour, sponsored by CN and CN WorldWide, will take place from July 21 to 23 at CSI5* Estoril (POR).