Nayel Nassar and Lordan Take Las Vegas to Add to World Cup Winning Streak

Nayel Nassar and Lordan Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography — *Nayel Nassar and Lordan*
*Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography*

Las Vegas, Nev. – Nov. 19, 2018 – It was an international evening as thirty competitors representing six countries were vying for valuable North American League points in the final qualifier before the holiday season, the $135,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Las Vegas, presented by Walter Oil & Gas Corporation. Six riders provided clear rounds and returned for a remarkable jump-off that marked the second victory of the day for Nayel Nassar (EGY). Aboard his longtime partner, Lordan, Nassar stopped the clock in an impressive 34.57 to edge out Wilhelm Genn (GER) and Buggati’s time of 35.73. Rounding out the top three was Harley Brown (AUS) riding Mylord Cornet.

The first rider to challenge the Anthony D’Ambrosio track was Jennifer Gates aboard Monaco, who rode without fault, inviting a jump-off for those who could match her effort. Riding sixth in the order, Harley Brown completed a clear round on Mylord Cornet. Not until after the nineteenth entry completed the course did more riders join the jump-off, when Kristen Vanderveen, Genn, Richard Spooner, and Nassar rode without fault.

D’Ambrosio’s jump-off course allowed riders to execute long gallops, a few bending lines, and one combination. Three of the six returning, Gates, Vanderveen and Spooner, executed speedy efforts with one fence down on course for four fault scores.

Wilhelm Genn and Bugatti Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography — *Wilhelm Genn and Bugatti*
*Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography*

Second to attempt the shortened track, Brown was the first double clear effort in a conservative 40.34. Also clean, Genn and Bugatti blazed and stopped the clock four and a half seconds faster than Brown to take over the lead. Last to go was Nassar. During the Winning Round Classic earlier in the day, as the final rider to jump-off aboard Lucifer V, Nassar brilliantly took over the top spot for the win. Repeating the feat, he once again sizzled through turns and galloped through the timers in 34.57 seconds to claim victory.

Nassar claimed that luck was on his side here in Vegas. “Luck of the draw helped me out in the jump-off. I was in the pole position coming in. I knew Wilhelm had set a hard time to beat on a horse with a bigger stride than mine. I just had to be tidy in the turns,” he explained. “I always relish the pressure and I think Lordan could feel that I was getting tingly walking in there. He tried his heart out.”

This is not the first of Nassar’s successes in the 2018/2019 Longines FEI North American League season; he won the fourth qualifier just last week in Thermal, Calif. “Lordan’s jumping really great right now. This is his third week in a row and he’s on fire. He’ll get to enjoy a well-deserved holiday in the field after this. I’m very happy that he’s feeling so good at the end of the season as a 14-year-old.”

*Nassar celebrates the win with Jim, Carole and Mary Frances Looke, Melissa Brandes, Hillary Ridland, Caroline Looke, Phillip Rozon and Robert Ridland. Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography*

RESULTS

For full results, click here.

RANKINGS

Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2018/2019 – North American Eastern Sub-League:
Standings following the 5th leg in Las Vegas, Nev., USA
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

For full rankings, click here.