The Norman, who was the first double clear in the class, went into the lead and held on to his pole position.  With Brazyl de Mezel, the rider made light of the fences and the time before an enthusiastic audience.

This Sunday, thirty-six competitors took part in the HUBSIDE JUMPING de VALENCE’s 4* Grand Prix. The sun was shining, the grandstands were packed, and the audience was enthusiastic.  And rightly so.

The first round, designed by France’s Grégory Bodo, was a technical one, but was “built with the horses in mind” as Philippe Rozier, the French team gold medallist at the Rio Olympics, highlighted during the course walk.  Number 4 which was a plank was undoubtedly decisive in the class and alone was knocked down by thirteen riders. The time allowed was also played a significant role, penalising Ireland’s Stephen Moore, who had a superb clear round in terms of jumping with Albert K, but unfortunately was too slow when he crossed the finish line. France’s Mégane Moissonnier with the powerful Cordial and Argentina’s José Maria Larocca (Jr) with Finn Lente suffered the same fate.

France’s Cédric Hurel and his fantastic Fantasio Floreval Z, who are in great form this season, got the ball rolling with the first clear round. Jeanne Sadrann, the young French lady rider, and Vannan immediately followed suit, and thus ensured that there would be a jump-off. It appeared that there would then be a series of clear rounds as Normandy’s François-Xavier Boudant and Brazyl du Mezel also qualified for the jump-off. But the first round wasn’t that easy. In the end, ten combinations managed to jump clear and obtain their ticket for the jump-off. France, Colombia, Portugal, and Great Britain: the battle for victory was going to be very close considering the level of the riders competing.

Cédric Hurel and Fantasio Floreval Z, who had the difficult task of going first in this second part of the competition, had every reason to be pleased with their result: 4 faults in a time of 34:37, and a seventh place in the overall line-up. This set the tone, and opened the door to a host of possibilities. As there’s no such word as can’t in French, Normandy’s François-Xavier Boudant had the first double clear with Apache d’Adrier’s grandson in a time of 34:36, going into the lead provisionally and suspense was at its height. Titouan Schumacher and his Atome Z unsettled the audience, as well as the leading combination, going over the finish line faster, but knocking down the final fence into the bargain.

Full results here.

Daniel Koroloff – E-mail: daniel@blizko-communication.com