Valence, France – August 19, 2021 – Twenty-nine of them took the start of Thursday’s major CSI 5 * event, rated at 1.50m. On a tour signed Cédric Longis (FRA), eleven riders managed the perfect course. However, it was necessary to act quickly and well to win! Successful bet for Haras des Grillons rider Carlos Enrique Lopez Lizarazo (COL).
Jazzy music in the speakers, setting sun and pink clouds relayed by diffused light all around the track, summer sweetness … the atmosphere was more than warm at the Hubside Jumping de Valence. However, in the arena, the riders were busy trying to overcome the difficulties suggested by the course manager, Cédric Longis (FRA). Combination number 9 will also have caused a hard time for many of the top players on the circuit, such as Frenchman Simon Delestre (FRA) on Chesall Zimequest or Italian Lorenzo de Luca (ITA)and Amarit d´Amour.
And it was the Brazilian Eduardo Pereira de Menezes (BRA), saddled on Calypso des Matis, who started the clear round and set the pace with a quick time of 63’36. Determined to do battle, the Amazons were not left out in this event, showing all their know-how.
Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli (SWE) on Nintender Star (8th), the French Mégane Moissonnier (FRA) with Aramusse (7th), Marie Pellegrin (FRA) on Boréale de Fondcombe (6th) or even Marie Demonte on Manchester (5th) tried to catch up with them… without success!
It wasn’t until Britain’s Guy Williams (GBR), in the very last part of the race, that he finally managed to lower the clock to 62.58 with Rouge de Ravel. This was what further motivated Haras des Grillons rider Carlos Enrique Lopez (COL), who won at home in 60:45 on his superb Evita Sg Z.
Winner’s Circle – Carlos Lopez (COL)
“This is my first victory with Evita Sg Z. Haras des Grillons invested in this mare eight or nine months ago. The beginnings were a little difficult because she played all the tests to win without being maintained in an oiled job. It was very complicated. But we knew she had a lot of qualities, that she was very competitive. So I had to calm her down, teach her to jump more with her hindquarters and less with her shoulders, to jump less quickly, etc. Today it is starting to stabilize really in a good way. So let’s hope this is the start of a lot of wins, because she can win a lot. I am thinking of putting her back in a big event this weekend, and she will definitely do the Grand Prix next week.”
Final Results – €28,000 Hubside Speed Challenge CSI 5*
1) Carlos Lopez (COL) & Evita SG Z – 0 – 60.45
2) Guy Williams (GBR) & Rouge de Ravel – 0 – 62.58
3) Gregory Cottard (FRA) & Bibici – 0 – 63.07
Source: Press Release by Daniel Koroloff / Blizko Communication for Hubside Jumping de Valence
Photos: © Hubside Jumping
Categories: CSI 5*, English, Jumper News France
