Mark McAuley & Miebello

On Friday evening at Equita Lyon, the world’s top show-jumpers took part in the Grand Prix Longines – a qualifying class for the Longines FEI World Cup presented by GL events on Sunday. The initial course designed by Grégory Bodo had thirteen obstacles. It was a technical course, in which oxer number 8 – in the colours of the Laiterie de Montaigu – and the GL events red-and white oxer number 12 tested all the competitors. It is worth noting the great performance of the young French rider Edward Levy on Sirius Black, who made just a small fault on the final obstacle of the course.

The spectators had to wait until the eleventh couple to see a clear-round by the Italian rider Alberto Zorzi on Danique. A total of thirteen riders went through to the jump-off.

Steve Guerdat & Bianca

In the end, Mark McAuley won the class with an unbeatable time of 34″38 on Miebello. For his first participation in the CSI5*-W in Lyon, the Irish rider based in the Rhône-Alpes region could not have hoped for better! “I’m really happy! Vive la France! In my view, my horse is the best in the world. He responded really well tonight and gave everything he could,” he said after completing his round. He finished ahead of Steve Guerdat and the magnificent Bianca (34″77) in second place, and Penelope Leprevost – who is used to climbing onto the podium at Equita Lyon – who took third place with her faithful Vagabond de la Pomme (34″97). It is also worth noting the excellent fifth place of the local rider Julien Gonin, who was in great form on his faithful Soleil de Cornu CH.

Mark McAuley & Miebello

1- Mark McAuley & Miebello: 0/0 in 34.38 sec.

2- Steve Guerdat & Bianca: 0/0 in 34.77 sec.

3- Pénélope Leprevost & Vagabond de la Pomme: 0/0 in 34.97 sec.

4- Lauren Hough & Ohlala: 0/0 in 35.33 sec.

5- Julien Gonin & Soleil de Cornut: 0/0 in 35.80 sec.

Source: Press Release by Equita Lyon

Photos: © Equita Lyon / PSV Photo / J. Morel