Harold Boisset & T’Obetty du Domaine Top Feature €25,150 Mercedes-Benz Speed Class CSI 4* on First Day at Jumping Valence

By Jumper News on 17 17America/Sao_Paulo August 17America/Sao_Paulo 2018

The Jumping International de Valence started stunningly yesterday with one of the best head list an international show jumping competition could dream of: Olivier Robert, the actual French Champion, Roger-Yves Bost (FRA), Olympic Champion in Rio, Simon Delestre (FRA), bronze medallist at the European Championship in 2015, Kent Farrignton, former World No.1 and winner of the 2017 Grand Prix 5* of the Jumping International de Valence, Eric Lamaze (CAN), Olympic Champion in 2008, not to mention the two riders from Haras des Grillons Sadri Fegaier (FRA) and Carlos Lopez (COL).

The opening CSI 4* class, the €25,150 Mercedes-Benz 1.45m speed class, offered a breathtaking show for the crowd. Its winner, Harold Boisset (FRA), riding T’obetty du Domaine, quickly took the provisional first place right at the beginning of the class with a stunning clear round and didn’t let anyone steal his spot. Wearing the number 4, the French rider impressed everyone with a record time of 62.54 seconds. “I am delighted, my horse jumped extremely well. She’s usually a fast mare, but I felt that she was jumping good, so I speed her up. In order to manage a time like this, I got a bit of luck too!”

Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) & Castleforbes Talitha

On the second step of the podium, we can find one of the best tricolour riders, and not the least, Roger-Yves Bost (FRA). Known for being one of the fastest pilots of the international circuit, the Olympic Champion of Rio didn’t manage to catch up with his competitor, finishing second in 64.25 seconds riding Castleforbes Talitha.

Max Kühner (AUT) & Electric Touch

In third place, the Austrian Max Kühner (AUT) and Electric Touch with a round in a time of 64.46 seconds.

The French hymn La Marseillaise was heard in two out of the three CSI 2* classes. The Swiss Frédérique Fabre-Delbos (SUI) took the leading place in the Smartphone Recycle two-phase class CSI 2*. However, the French riders caught up quickly on the other two classes: The Prix Dauphiné Libéré – Haras des Grillons CSI 2* and the Prix Hubside CSI 2*, were won respectively by Olivier Perreau (FRA) and Romain Lavigne (FRA). During this first day of competition, the crowd was already there to support the riders, enjoying the free gallery and Exhibitors’ Village.