Bordeaux, France – Friday, February 07, 2020 – In the first part of yesterday’s evening, the Prix Generali was a dress rehearsal for tomorrow’s Longines FEI World Cup Grand Prix. Though it is not really a qualifying class, the pairs must finish their course if they intended to start on Saturday evening. Some have used this course to prepare for today’s class, which will be of great importance for some: it is one of the last chances to win a place for the final in Las Vegas. Thus certain courses were ridden at a slower pace allowing the riders to make their final adjustments.

Julien Epaillard (FRA) & Queeletta

Others were looking for a victory, as did Frenchman Julien Epaillard (FRA) who is already qualified for the WC final of Las Vegas and who, in a quite impressive pace, took victory from the double gold medallist of the Pan American Games, Brazil’s Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA). With his 12-year-old Oldenburg mare Queeletta (Quality x Landor S), Epaillard was over two seconds faster than the Brazilian world number 15 who was riding the 12-year-old chestnut Belgian Warmblood gelding Icarus (Douglas x Sioux de Baugy), the winning combination being timed in 63.61 seconds while the runners-up in 65.64 seconds.

One of the public’s favourite riders, German Marcus Ehning (GER), tried as well to beat the clock but finished 35 hundredth of seconds behind Zanotelli with his beautiful Comme Il Faut (Cornet Obolensky x Ramiro).

Julien Epaillard (FRA) aboard Queeletta during the awards ceremony with Boris Diaw

A true moment of sport as another champion, the great (and 2,03 m tall!) basketball player Boris Diaw, NBA Champion and European Champion 2013 with the French team, handed them over their prizes. After taking the first six places in the Horse & Sport Prix earlier that day, this French victory marked a great day for the French riders.

For full results, please click here.

Source: Pascal Renauldon / Agence R&B Presse for Jumping International of Bordeaux

Photo: © Jumping Internationale de Bordeaux / Pascal Renauldon / Agence R&B Presse