Vejer de La Frontera, Spain – October 31, 2021 – The French National Anthem rang out across Montenmedio on Sunday, on the last day of the October Tour . There was not one but two French riders on the podium today in the Suzuki Grand Prix CSIO 3*, taking first place were Cedric Hurel (FRA) and  Fantasio Floreval Z.  The 11yr old bay gelding and his rider won this very exciting 1.55m class, which was sponsored by Suzuki, by beating off five other riders and their horses.  This demanding track designed by Javier Trénor,  meant that only six competitors got through to the jump off. 

In a time of just 42.31s  he took the top spot on the podium just 0.67s in front of the British rider, Alex Thompson (GBR) with Cathalina S, who is by Catoki. 

In third place was Juliette Faligot (FRA), who was riding Arqana de Riverland, a Selle Français with whom Juliette has already had many good results. The duo were right on the heels of the latter two, finishing only two-hundredths of a second off their pace in the triebreaker.

The winner told us: “It was a fairly difficult track that needed to be ridden carefully, especially the last line of fences where there were a lot of faults”.  The French rider went on to describe Fantasio Floreval Z as a generous horse.  He told us that this is their first CSIO3* and winning here at this international show he was: “really very content”. 

Final Results – €52,300 Suzuki Grand Prix CSIO 3*

1) Cedric Hurel (FRA) & Fantasio Floreval Z – 0 / 0 – 42.31

2) Alex Thompson (GBR) & Cathalina S – 0 / 0 – 42.98

3) Juliette Faligot (FRA) & Arqana de Riverland – 0 / 0 – 43.00

 Source: Press Release from the Sunshine Tour 

Photos: © Sunshine Tour / Ahmed Photography / Equus Media