Patrice Delaveau produced a stunning victory with Orient Express HDC at the second leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Western European League 2013/2014 series in Helsinki, Finland this afternoon. Second-last to go in the eight-horse jump-off against the clock, the French partnership snatched victory from London 2012 Olympic champions Steve Guerdat and Nino des Buissonnets from Switzerland.

Ireland’s Shane Breen steered his talented 10-year-old stallion, Balloon, into third ahead of Sweden’s Malin Baryard-Johnsson and H&M Tornesch in fourth. This was a most impressive result for the Swedish rider’s horse, as he had an eye surgically removed only a few short months ago, but seems to have lost nothing of his talent or of his zest for his job on his return to top-class competition.

Fifth place went to Luciana Diniz who enjoyed another spectacular day with her lovable grey stallion Winningmood, and the Portuguese rider now lies second on the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Western European League leaderboard at this early stage of the 11-leg series, while Steve Guerdat is well out in front having already collected 34 points to date.

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