Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann was motivated heading into the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Cannes.
Motivated by her team, the Cannes Stars. Motivated by the home crowd on the French Riviera. Motivated by the day prior’s podium miss—the Cannes Stars finished fourth—in the Global Champions League.
She was certainly motivated heading down the final line.
With her husband Christian Zimmermann screaming from the sidelines and two long distances in her sites on Messi van ‘t Ruytershof, Meyer-Zimmermann’s determined ride and flapping reins down the final line shaved precious tenths of a second off the clock.
“I saw the distance to the plank was far away. But I thought, okay, you can take it. And then we landed so far and I had just a short second of a moment where I thought, now you just drop the reins and go and see if you can make it. And he made it!”
It was an edge of the seat ride that had the German Olympian (43) fist pumping on landing and clocking in the only sub-40 double clear on the day.
“I am so thankful for this horse,” said an elated Meyer-Zimmermann. “I mean, what an amazing jumper. And I am so thankful for the whole team support. And also thank you to the crowd. It was amazing.”
Amazing and also predictable.
Meyer-Zimmermann and Messi have jumped clear in 50% of their 30 attempted rounds at 1.60m, averaging just 1.7 faults at the height and finishing in the top 10 at a 47% clip. Which is to say, according to Jumpr, they do so consistently and competitively.
This season, those impressive stats are trending even higher. The pair has jumped clear in 57% of seven attempted 1.60m rounds and average just 1.1 faults at the height (Jumpr).
Most impressive of all, however, is their Grand Prix record. Meyer-Zimmermann and the 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Plot Blue x For Pleasure) have won two 3* Grands Prix already this season. Saturday’s victory is their third 5* Grand Prix win and first LGCT title, locking in their ticket to the Super Grand Prix this fall.
“[It means] a lot,” continued Meyer-Zimmerman. “I’m so proud to be part of the Iron Dames team and now already to be qualified for the Super Grand Prix. I think for all of us, it’s really cool and it also gives some power for the other riders.”
The Longines Global Champions Tour next heads to Paris, June 21–23.