In this jump-off involving twenty-three riders, the fifth couple, Denys Troussier and Vietnam des Till, were the first to complete a clear round. Finishing the second leg in a time of 40″59, the rider from the Rhône Alpes region took the lead in the rankings. But not for long!

Laurent Guillet (FRA) & Sultan du Château,

A few riders later, Laurent Guillet (FRA), riding his faithful Sultan du Château, took a few hundredths off the time, completing the course in 39”89.

From then on, the remaining riders had to take risks, leading to some mistakes. Victoire Echelard finished in 39”16 but knocked two bars down, while Patrice Astier, managed 39”71, but made a small mistake on the last oxer with Gigolo v/d Molendreef.

Clément Frèrejacques rode a clear round but finished in 39”89, the same time as Laurent Guillet!

Morgan Bordat (FRA) & Uma

However, the top spot was only shared for a short while. Always a fast rider, the young Morgan Bordat (FRA), jumped with ease and control in the jump-off, and took first place with a time 38”34, more than a second ahead of his competitors. But it was not over…

Known for his speed and talent, Benoît Cernin (FRA) was one of the riders that the other competitors were particularly weary of… and rightly so! At full speed, he finished this class sponsored by the Institut Esthederm with a great performance, taking a further thirty-two hundredths off the time, in 38.02 seconds.

“Uelem and I are getting to know each other pretty well; we have a good of each other. He is very obedient and I am really happy to be riding him here in Lyon!”  said the winning rider.

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release from Equita Longines – Le Salon du Cheval de Lyon

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