La Baule, France – May 18, 2019 – Twenty-three pairs were on the start list of the 2019 edition of the €40,000 Derby of the Pays de la Loire Region. The course, designed by the course designer Frédéric Cottier, was composed of 22 fences and 26 jumps to complete within 150 seconds.

Second to go on the grass arena of the François André stadium, fully packed, the French Olivier Guillon (FRA) and Andain du Thalie, a 9-year old Selle Français stallion (Calvaro x Quick Star), generated enthusiasm among the spectators with a clear round in 143.94 seconds. Then one of the favourites of the public of La Baule came in: the French vice world champion in 2014, Patrice Delaveau (FRA), already winner of this mythical class three times. Associated this year to Vestale de Mazure*HDC, a 10-year-old Selle Français mare (Landor S x Quidam de Revel), the rider from Normandy offered a demonstration! Playing through the difficulties, he cleared as well, but was faster than his fellow citizen with a time of 129.94 seconds.

This French performance put pressure on all the other riders: none of them managed to clear the course after that. Mark McAuley (FRA) and his 15-year-old grey Swedish Warmblood Miebello (Flyinge Quite Easy 958 x Cardento 933) almost did, but with a rail down towards the end of the course, on the oxer n°16 (next to the entrance, one of the most delicate of the course), they had to do with 3rd place, with 4 points in 128.17 seconds.

World number one Steve Guerdat (SUI)  and Evita, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Canturano x Farmer), almost achieved a masterstroke. Fast and precise, they see their dream of victory fly off after a hind leg mistake from Evita on the vertical placed just before the water jump (n°21). With a total of 4 points in 129.83 seconds, the pair places 4th. The 5th position went to the Belgian Jos Veerloy (BEL) and his 10-year-old Selle Français mare Valentine Belmanière, with 4 points (on the second element of the triple combination) in 130.79 seconds.

France grabs the two first places and Patrice Delaveau (FRA) makes history in this class and in the Longines International Jumping of La Baule CSIO 5* by becoming the second best competitor of this Derby of the Pays de la Loire Region with four wins (1993 with Orient de Frebourg, 2013 and 2016 with Ornella Mail*HDC, 2019 with Vestale de Mazure*HDC. The record holder remains the Brazilian sorcerer Nelson Pessoa (BRA) with six victories.

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Source: Press release by Agence Consulis for Jumping International de La Baule

Photo: © Tiffany van Halle