Success in this two-athlete sport is, above all, a matter of partnership ‒ of affection, even. Marc Dilasser and Arioto du Gevres have been shining together on the international circuit for more than eight years, and the rider makes no secret of his feelings for the 15-year-old bay. “We’re like an old couple, and right now we’re going through a great phase, so we’re enjoying every minute.”
The Normandy-based rider managed his gelding’s weekend to perfection: a flawless win on Thursday in the first qualifier, two days of rest, and triumph on Sunday in the Grand Prix de la Ville de Chantilly.
Another success worth noting: a packed grandstand. Under a blazing sun, an expert and enthusiastic crowd stayed put to watch all 50 starters tackle a long course of 13 fences and 16 efforts ‒ designed, like every test here, by Olympic course-builder Grégory Bodo.
Dilasser paid tribute. “It was a classic Greg course. On the course walk, you don’t always see where the difficulties are, but in fact it’s everywhere. We’re lucky in France to have such a talented and experienced course designer. Today he produced a very demanding Grand Prix, yet still twelve clears, and a jump-off full of five-star riders. Chapeau!”
Those 12 came back for a seven-fence jump-off that filled the huge arena: quick lines, but technical subtleties from the very first turn, where hundredths could be saved, to the approach to the double, where everything could be lost. Nicolas Delmotte and Jordan Molga M set the early standard with a smooth round, but in the end, it all came down to a Franco-British showdown between Marc Dilasser and double Olympic champion Scott Brash riding Hello Valentino. Dilasser struck first with 39.68; Brash gave chase, but finished 0.93 hundredths slower (40.61).
After his round, Marc jumped off his horse and rushed to the rail to watch Scott Brash’s jump-off from the edge of the arena : “I was praying!” he laughed. “There’d be no shame in finishing second to Scott, but luckily Arioto is naturally very quick-quicker than a lot of horses, fast off the ground.”
“All the lights are green,” Dilasser continued. “Arioto is an exceptional horse, we’ve always known that. Tonight, on the drive home, I’ll try to count how many Grands Prix he’s already won… there are quite a few! I’m so proud of him: he’s a fighter, a real warrior. He’s the show-horse you dream of: lightning-fast, and he just loves his job. Today everything was perfect. Grand Prix Events always puts on a great show, and in a setting like this, in this weather, with such a crowd, it’s fantastic.”
Brash, disappointed in expression but gracious in words, declared: “I’m very happy with Valentino. He jumped fantastically today. I think I lost it on the last. I just couldn’t get the forward distance; I felt too slow there. I wish he’d dived in a bit more, but he jumped really well. I’m delighted with the horse.”
Since Grand Prix Events took over three years ago, the Jumping de Chantilly has gone from strength to strength. Everything is geared toward welcoming every kind of visitor — and once again the mission was a success. A friendly atmosphere reigned from the VIP terraces to the grandstands, through the shopping village and food zones. On the sporting side, riders praised the new footing, a technical achievement that provided smooth, safe conditions for every class.
(There were three Canadians competing in Chantilly – Kyle Timm had a 10th place riding Glamour du Chanu in Friday’s CSI4* 1.50m Prix du Département de l’Oise ‒ out of 86 entries ‒ while Justine Cha/Kaya Sinaa GPH and Gigi Genovese/Christopher Robin placed 9th and 10th, respectively, in Sunday’s CSI1* 1.35m Cavalassur Grand Prix.)
All results here.
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