Grimaud, France – May 01, 2022 – The €200,000 Hubside Store Grand Prix CSI 5*, presented by Indexia Group, took place yesterday afternoon in the main ring at Grimaud. The last and main highlight of the 5-star weekend at the Hubside Jumping de Grimaud CSI 5* & 2* featured thirty-nine combinations challenging the obstacles set by French course designer Cédric Longis. At the end of a twelve-rider jump-off, France’s Edward Levy (FRA), on Rebeca LS, won ahead of Great Britain’s Harry Charles (GBR) and Belgium’s Jérôme Guéry (BEL).
At 2.15 pm, the thirty-nine combinations entered in the Hubside Store Grand Prix presented by Indexia Group set off on the course comprising thirteen fences and sixteen jumps. Belgium’s Jérôme Guéry (BEL) was the first to successfully jump this initial course described by Cédric Longis as ‘big, but subtle and delicate’. The young British rider Harry Charles (GBR) followed suit a few seconds later, as well as Wilm Vermeir (BEL), Koen Vereecke (BEL), and the winner of the most recent Grand Prix, Henrik von Eckermann (SWE). Kevin Staut (FRA) was the first French rider to jump clear a few minutes before the halfway point. In the second half of the class, six other combinations had a perfect performance, meaning there would be twelve riders in total in the jump-off.
Jérôme Guéry (BEL) was first to go riding Grupo Prom Diego and took advantage of his gelding’s big stride to jump clear and fast in 39.48 seconds. Very fast indeed! A little too fast for Harry Charles (GBR) who finished fourhundredths of a second behind Guéry. Hot on their heels, Wilm Vermeir (BEL), who picked up the pace in the second part of the jump-off course, had one down on the first element of the HUBSIDE combination, as did Henrik von Eckermann (SWE). Kevin Staut (FRA) and Cheppetta, winners of the Grand Prix Hermès in March, were also slower, finishing 2.37 seconds after the Belgian combination. Was it possible to beat Jérome Guéry? Absolutely! Edward Levy (FRA) and his mare Rebeca LS sailed through the jump-off and went into pole position, nine-hundredths of a second faster. Austria’s Max Kühner (AUT) , the winner of yesterday’s big class, set off in hot pursuit, but he also had two down at the end of the course, while Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) knocked three poles down. Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) was clear in the jump-off but was nearly two seconds slower and finished fourth.
In one of his first 5* jump-offs, Aurelien Leroy jumped clear until the last fence when he had one down, putting him into ninth place overall. Simon Delestre (FRA), set off in hot pursuit of his young fellow countryman with Tinka’s Hero Z, but also had one down on the final fence and finished in seventh place in this Hubside.Store Grand Prix CSI 5*, presented by the Indexia Group..
No one could catch up with the French rider who experienced one of his first 5* Grand Prix victories. ‘It’s funny, this morning I felt more stressed than usual! I felt that Rebeca LS was in such good shape that I put a bit of pressure on myself. I really wanted to perform well. On Thursday, Rebeca was already second in the big class and today she was amazing in the Grand Prix. The Grand Prix course was quite big, but the horses jump really well here because of the excellent facilities, so whatever the course, there are enough clear rounds. I’m obviously delighted! I was already second in a 5* star Grand Prix here, won by Steve Guerdat (SUI) and I have won some Grands Prix before, but none of them were like this. This is my first win in a real 5* Grand Prix so I am very happy. Rebeca really deserved to win! It’s also a victory for the whole team at the Haras de l’Ecaude because everyone had faith in this mare since the beginning. She only needs a very simple routine daily. It’s all about managing morale, our bond, and trust. In the ring, she gives us back a hundredfold the love we give her and that’s what makes her an extraordinary mare. I really wanted her to shine at this level! To preserve her, I chose not to ride her in Nations Cups but rather in classic Grands Prix. But I will be in La Baule next weekend with other horses and my objectives are of course the French team and the championships and I continue to work hard for that,’ said the Norman rider emotionally.
‘This afternoon again we had the chance to see a magnificent Grand Prix. Cédric Longis did an amazing job, with twelve jump-off riders and twelve who were placed, and I would like to congratulate him. The victory of Edward Levy (FRA) and Rebeca LS is symbolic of the role of the HUBSIDE Jumping on the international calendar: an important part of the preparation of the combinations for future major events and in particular for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Indexia Group, Hubside and all their teams are also very proud to contribute to the preparation of our French and international athletes for the 2024 Olympic Games, by multiplying the dates of very high-level shows in the coming months ‘, explained Sadri Fegaier, at the end of the Hubside.Store Grand Prix presented by Indexia Group.
“It’s funny, this morning I felt more stressed than usual! I felt that Rebeca LS was in such good shape that I put a bit of pressure on myself. I really wanted to perform well. On Thursday, Rebeca was already second in the big class and today she was amazing in the Grand Prix. The Grand Prix course was quite big, but the horses jump really well here because of the excellent facilities, so whatever the course, there are enough clear rounds. I’m obviously delighted! I was already second in a 5* star Grand Prix here, won by Steve Guerdat (SUI) and I have won some Grands Prix before, but none of them were like this. This is my first win in a real 5* Grand Prix so I am very happy. Rebeca really deserved to win! It’s also a victory for the whole team at the Haras de l’Ecaude because everyone had faith in this mare since the beginning. She only needs a very simple routine daily. It’s all about managing morale, our bond, and trust. In the ring, she gives us back a hundredfold the love we give her and that’s what makes her an extraordinary mare. I really wanted her to shine at this level! To preserve her, I chose not to ride her in Nations Cups but rather in classic Grands Prix. But I will be in La Baule next weekend with other horses and my objectives are of course the French team and the championships and I continue to work hard for that.”
Final Results – €200,000 Hubside Store Grand Prix CSI 5*, presented by Indexia
1) Edward Levy (FRA) & Rebeca LS – 0 / 0 – 39.44
2) Harry Charles (GBR) & Aralyn Blue – 0 / 0 – 41.48
3) Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) & Cassius Clay Vdv Z – 0 / 0 – 41.27
Source: Press Release by Daniel Koroloff / Blizko Communication for Hubside Jumping
Photos: © Hubside Jumping / Sportfot / Stefano Secch
Categories: CSI 5*, English, Jumper News France
