Today was the last highlight in 2019, in the ring of the HUBSIDE Fall Tour. This afternoon 45 combinations took part in the last 4* Grand Prix of 2019 in Var. Ten of them qualified for the jump-off, completing the 13-fence course built by French course designer Cédric Longis without any difficulties. Although the French riders were expected to do well, as they had been on top form from the start of the weekend, Great Britain’s Scott Brash was the winner, following a very fast jump-off.
Jérôme Hurel, who was the first to jump clear and therefore the first to enter the ring for the jump-off, had another perfect round in 41.35 seconds. Following him, Brash, winner of this weekend’s opening class, shaved almost two seconds off his time. Completing the course in 39.49 seconds, the British rider looked almost certain to be the winner. Marie Demonte set off in hot pursuit of the two men in the lead and finished in 40.95 seconds, and went into second place in the provisional line-up.
But the podium was very hard to reach despite the efforts of the following competitors. Laurent Goffinet and Lorenzo de Luca both once again completed perfect rounds, finishing in 42.30 seconds and 41.85 seconds respectively. Alexis Deroubaix was the last French rider in this Grand Prix and had one rail down on the second element of the double. Following him, Belgium’s Dominique Hendrickx left the ring with eight faults on the scoreboard whereas his fellow countrywoman, Ann Carton-Grootjans, finished clear, in a time of 44.92 seconds, without worrying the top 3 riders. The only American rider, Lauren Hough, had one rail down on the liverpool, and lost any hope of victory. Last to go, Brazil’s Eduardo Menezes managed to upset the plans of Hurel and Demonte somewhat as he slipped into second place thanks to a time of 39.49 seconds. So Brash was able to add his name to the 2019 HUBSIDE Jumping winner’s list as he was several hundredths of a second faster than the Brazilian rider.
“I tried to have as smooth a jump-off as possible with Hello Senator, while staying on the inside of the track as much as I could. I am delighted that I stayed in the lead right to the end! I will definitely come back to the HUBSIDE Jumping next year. The arena and the warm-up ring are very spacious and really comfortable for the horses. This show is designed for the well-being of the horses and that is very important to us,” commented the champion just a few seconds after the final prize giving ceremony for 2019 in the arena of the Ecuries du Golfe de Saint Tropez.
So we look forward to seeing you for the 2020 season, which will begin on 8 April next year for the two first competition weekends at the HUBSIDE Jumping!
Find all the Grand Prix results HERE.
Earlier in the day, the CSI2* Grand Prix was won by Jean-Luc Mourier
The French riders were really on form at the weekend and came up to the mark this morning in the CSI2* Grand Prix. Michel Robert, Harold Boisset and Jean-Luc Mourier were among the thirteen combinations who qualified for this 1m45 class’ jump-off, and had each already had two wins. And they really battled it out!
Going second in the jump-off, Boisset and T’Obetty du Domaine finished in 37.91 seconds going into the lead in the class. They were soon replaced in the pole position by Mourier and Fionapina Colada, who finished in a time of 37.40 seconds.
“When I saw Harold’s jump-off, I wasn’t sure I could go any faster than him. Fionapina Colada is not a mare with a lot of blood. Her great scope definitely stood me in good stead today. Thanks to that I was able to take out a stride before the double. My horses really love it here! And so do I! If Sadri Fegaier and Thierry Pomel are listening… I really want to come back next year! (laughter),” smiled the champion at the end of the class.
Michel Robert, with a new double clear, in his turn had to concede a few seconds on the track, finishing in 41.81 seconds with Van Kilmore. The French rider finished in fifth place behind the Italians Lorenzo de Luca who was third with 40.39 seconds, and Piergiorgio Bucci, who was fourth in a time of 41.49 seconds. Mégane Moissonnier, the best lady rider in the class was sixth with Ussar des Bruyères (42.34 seconds).
All the results HERE.
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