Nicolas Delmotte & Citadin du Chatellier Fly the Highest in €24,400 Henders & Hazel Prize CSI 5*

By on 11 11America/Sao_Paulo July 11America/Sao_Paulo 2021

Chantilly, France – July 10, 2021 – “I’m going to frame this rosette.” This rosette, as green as her jacket, is the first one that the very smiling Fanny Skalli (FRA) has just won for her very first CSI 5* with Jonka, nicknamed the Duchess. It was the reward for her second place in the €24,400 Henders & Hazel Priz CSI 5*, a 1.45m class with a jump-off. A jump-off with only three riders and where the young woman from Southern France put the pressure on from the start with a very fast time.

But with 36 hundredths less, Nicolas Delmotte (FRA) with Citadin du Chatellier (/ l’Arc de Triomphe*Bois Margot x Diamant de Semilly), deprived her of the first place: “For me, it’s almost a victory, but he could have been a gentleman”, laughs the young mother who can’t help but express a little regret: “If I had taken one stride less when I went to the wall, I could have gained a few tenths, but I am very happy… it is my second 5* class and I was already ranked yesterday with Jonka who was clear, today she is double clear, what more could I ask for? … The Duchess has a huge heart, she is incredible, she has a solid mind, she is just perfect”.

Jonka and Fanny (FRA) have progressed together to 5* level: “I bought her a year and a half ago and she was doing 1.40-1.45m in Switzerland”. Tomorrow, Jonka will be resting and it is not certain that Fanny will start in the Grand Prix: “We are going to Dinard with her, so no Grand Prix… maybe I will do the 1* Grand Prix with a horse from Steve”… Guerdat, her husband and father of her little Ella since last April.

Moreover, three months after giving birth, Fanny’s physical condition is admirable: “I didn’t do anything special to get back into shape, I just wanted to get back on the horse quickly. Every woman is different in this situation and I think I’m really lucky… yes, I’m very lucky in life… And I’d like to say a word about Val because I think I have the best groom in the world and that counts for a lot.”

The third spot on the podium was claimed by Celine Schoonbroodt- De Azevedo (BEL) & Clinto T Z (Clintissimo Z x Indoctro) rounded out the top three after a penalty-free jump-off performance in 44.69 seconds.