The 10th Jumping International de Dinard in France, July 27-30, once again lived up to its reputation, delivering exciting show jumping performances in 1*, 3* and 5* divisions, culminating in the €500,000 Grand Prix Rolex Ville de Dinard on Sunday.
The best riders of the tournament had four chances to qualify with their leading mounts for the final 1.60m grand prix. Of the 40 horse-and-rider combinations on the start list, just 15 managed to cross the finish line without penalties and advance to the jump-off.
Following Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and Major Tom’s opening clear round, Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz immediately responded, shaving almost two seconds off the time and taking the lead with a time of 43.22 seconds, despite the best efforts of the two-time 2021 and 2022 title-holder Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Leone Jei, who succeeded him. Although also clear, Mégane Moissonnier/Cordial, Kevin Staut/Beau de Laubry Z (FRA), Gregory Wathelet/Bond Jamesbond de Hay, Nicola Phillippaerts/Katanga V/H Dingenshof, Gilles Thomas/Luna Van Het Dennehof (BEL), and Michael Pender/HHS Los Angeles (IRL), failed to dethrone the Irishman.
It wasn’t until Austrian Max Kühner and Elektric Blue P entered the ring that the time fell to 41.73 seconds and marked victory for the Austrian, who won this 2023 edition with his 12- year-old bay German gelding, a son of Eldorado VD Zeshoek and French Kiss by For Pleasure. Shane Sweetnam and Martin Fuchs join him on the podium.
After the win, Max Kühner commented, “Today is my second victory in a Rolex Grand Prix, but the first in Dinard. I met Elektric Blue when he was two-year-old, saw him jumping free. I fell in love with him at first sight and we’ve been training together ever since. For the rest of the program, Austria has to qualify for the Olympic Games. I rode Elektric Blue in Riesenbeck last week and here this week, to put him in him in show condition, and now he’s going to rest a bit before the European Championship. As for the terrain, it all depends on the horse. If he likes grass, for me it’s the best surface. At home, we have a grass arena to train.”
Shane Sweetnam, remarked, “In terms of mental preparation before setting off on a jump-off, whether it’s for the horse or the rider, everyone has their own strategies, but the most important thing is to stay focused before entering the arena and to be positive. I advise the younger generation to prepare themselves on grass tracks too, because to reach the highest level, they’ll need to be competitive on all types of terrain.”
Martin Fuchs said. “I’m very happy with third place. Leone Jei will go on to Dublin and then Spruce Meadows, while Conner Jei will take part in his first European Championship. I love grass tracks, even if they’re more difficult for the horses and for us, because the ground can be slippery, but they’re the most beautiful in the world. It’s rare to find quality surfaces like the one at Dinard, but I can understand why organizers build sand tracks, as they’re easier to maintain and less expensive.”
Concluding this prestigious event, Danièle Mars, president of the competition, thanked all those involved and confirmed that the 2024 edition would be moved ahead by a week and held from July 18-21, just a few days before the opening of the Olympic Games in Paris.
~ with files from Jumping International de Dinard
Results here.
More from News:
