Katharina Rhomberg secured one of the most important victories of her career by winning the Giorgio Armani Grand Prix presented by Longines, held on 10 May in Lido di Camaiore as part of the Longines Versilia Horse Show. The Austrian rider claimed her first CSI5* Grand Prix following an immaculate performance with Colestus Cambridge, completing a double clear and a blazing jump-off in 36.54 seconds.
Rhomberg, who was presented with the award on the track by Longines Brand Director, Matteo Sovera, expressed her emotion at achieving a triumph she was still coming to terms with. She explained that going last in the jump-off allowed her to see the extremely high standard of her rivals, but also forced her to take risks. Even so, she kept her cool, trusted her horse and managed to beat the times of all the combinations that had set the benchmark. The rider emphasised that this victory holds special value because she has been riding Colestus Cambridge since the horse was six years old, a partner with whom she has grown both sportingly and emotionally.
The Grand Prix, with a prize fund of 309,000 euros and designed by Uliano Vezzani, featured a 1.60-metre course that put the 48 participating combinations to the test. Only seven reached the jump-off, among them three Italian representatives. The first to enter the arena was Roberto Previtali with Quirinus 27, who finished with 4 faults. He was followed by Emanuele Camilli with Chacareno PS, who set the first double clear of the day with a time of 41.80 seconds. Shortly afterwards, the Belgian Jérôme Guery and Qartouche de la Pomme d’Or lowered the mark to 39.24 seconds, a time that looked like it would be unbeatable.
However, the jump-off still held surprises. The Saudi rider Abdulrahman Alrajhi with Ventago beat Guery's time and moved into the provisional lead with 38.06 seconds. But the final say went to Rhomberg, who entered the arena with determination and stopped the clock more than a second faster, securing a historic victory. The third Italian in the jump-off, Emanuele Gaudiano with Esteban de Hus, posted a very fast 37.34, although a knockdown relegated him to fifth position.
The day concluded with a triumph that marks a turning point in Katharina Rhomberg's career and adds a new chapter of excitement to the Longines Versilia Horse Show, an event that continues to consolidate its position as one of the most elegant and competitive fixtures on the international calendar.
Katharina Rhomberg triumphs in the Giorgio Armani Grand Prix presented by Longines
