Golfe de Saint-Tropez, Grimaud, France – June 30, 2019 – Forty-six horse and rider combinations took part in the Hubside Jumping’s final Grand Prix CSI 4* yesterday morning which boasted 100,000 euros in prize money. Among them, six jumped clear allowing them to advance to the jump-off and in the end, it was Guillaume Foutrier (FRA) and Valdocco des Caps who were victorious in the 1.55m challenge.
The public believed the jump-off riders in this Grand Prix would all be French and male for a long time. After the initial clear rounds of Alexis Deroubaix (FRA), Thomas Lévêque (FRA), Alexandre Fontanelle (FRA) and Guillaume Foutrier (FRA), all at the beginning of the class, no other rider had managed to overcome the subtleties of the course created by Gregory Bodo, the French course designer, for a long time. Not even the multi-medal winner Rodrigo Pessoa (FRA), who, after perfectly beginning his round, had one down on the last fence of the course. It was not until the last quarter of this first round that two lady riders, Ireland’s Susan Fitzpatrick (IRL) and France’s Mégane Moissonnier (FRA) joined the leading quartet.
First to go in the jump-off, Alexis Deroubaix (FRA) and Timon d’Aure, performed perfectly, finishing their round clear and in a time of 40.76 seconds. However, the experienced combination was unseated from the pole position a few seconds later, by Thomas Lévêque (FRA) and Seurat Galotière, who finished in a time of 39.75 seconds.
Alexandre Fontanelle (FRA), who tried to catch up with his fellow rider from Rhône Alpes, had to take all the risks. A very tight turn before the double and a misunderstanding with his loyal Prime Time des Vagues did not allow them to finish the jump-off unfortunately. Nevertheless, they finished sixth in the Grand Prix.
In a time of 38.33 seconds and over a second faster than his fellow countryman, Guillaume Foutrier (FRA), back at the Hubside Jumping with Valdocco des Caps after their victory in the opening Grand Prix of the season at the Ecuries du Golfe de Saint-Tropez, put Thomas Lévêque into the second place of the provisional line-up. Only the two lady riders left to go still had a hope of being the winner. At just twenty years old, the young Irish rider also had a clear round with Fellow Castlefield. Although they were unable to unseat the first two riders from the podium, their time of 39.78 seconds allowed them to go into the third place of this Grand Prix nevertheless. Mégane Moissonnier, 21 years old, also jumped clear with Cordial, like her female rival. In a time of 43.86 seconds, the young rider went into fifth position of this keenly contested jump-off.
Winner’s Circle – Guillaume Foutrier (FRA)
“I’m delighted to win again after the victory when we last came here to the Hubside Jumping in April. It was essential not to rush, find the right balance and not make any mistakes in a jump-off like this. I am very pleased with Valdocco des Caps who is in great form after a three-week break. He was clear on the first day and today he’s the winner. This goes to show that he is gaining experience and goes back to competing quickly,” stated Guillaume Foutrier after the jump-off.
For full results, please click here.
Source: Press release by Daniel Koroloff / Blitzko Communications for Hubside Jumping
Photo: © Hubside Jumping / Marco Villanti
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Categories: CSI 4*
