It was to the rhythm of the Marseillaise that the first day of the Saut Hermès 2018 ended, under the largest venue of its kind in Europe. Olympic team champion Philippe Rozier (FRA) was the quickest one to cross the finish line of the course 1.50m against the clock class, riding Rêveur de Kergane (Hornet Rose x Elan de la Cour) to victory in 61.20 seconds.
“I’m really happy,” smiled Philippe. Winning here is really … incredible! And then, in front of all these top horses like Hermès Ryan and Silver Deux de Virton* HDC, it’s quite something! I’m happy because Rêveur was great and it’s always a pleasure to win in front of my owners, Mr. and Mrs. Banet. Everything went really well on the course, it all seemed easy. I wanted to go fast to be in the top placings. Right rom obstacle number1, everything went well, I always had good distances. I really enjoyed it. And at my age, it’s a must! “
Twenty out of the 46 combinations that started the class managed to achieve the perfect score, over the track designed for the very first time at the Grand Palais by the Spaniard Santiago Varela Ullastres, who will be the one for the World Cup finals in Paris, just a month from now.
The Parisian public thought the outcome would be with an all-French podium, but Belgian Nathan Budd (BEL), penultimate to start, finally slipped into the second position.
Riding Balder Van De Katelijnkouter (Baloubet du Rouet x Orlando), the 25-year-old athlete, 649th in the world, clocked a time of 61.30 seconds. Hermès partner rider, Simon Delestre (FRA) and Olympic team champion Kevin Staut (FRA) finished respectively in third and fourth place. Selestre completed the challenge aboard Hermès Ryan (Hugo Gesmeray x Ryon d’Anzex) in 61.30 seconds while Staut rode Silver Deux de Virton* HDC (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Heartbreaker) across the finish line in 62.12 seconds.
Philippe Rozier (FRA) & Rêveur de Kergane
The Prix Hermès Sellier was qualifying class for Saturday’s main competitions at 16:30: Saut Hermès, run by 10 mixed couples, formed after a draw, the 10 best women and 10 best men in the Prix Hermès Sellier.
Full Results here.
Source: Press Release by Saut Hermès
Photos: © Saut Hermès / Frederic Chehu
Categories: CSI 5*
