Grimaud, France – July 24, 2022 – The last Grand Prix held at the Hubside Jumping Grimaud-Gulf of Saint Tropez was decided by nine hundredths of a second… Today’s one, the difference between the first two combinations was one hundredth this time! A very small hundredth which offered the victory to the Colombian Carlos Enrique Lopez Lizarazo (COL), in front of the French Philippe Rozier (FRA). At the end of an exciting twelve-man jump-off, counting no less than three Olympic champions, the Hubside partner rider won with Important de Muze. Lionel Huc (FRA) completed the podium, taking third place with Bonjour d’Iberia.
Forty competitors were at the start of the €60,000 Hubside.Store Grand Prix CSI 2*, presented by Indexia Sunday morning in Grimaud. An atypical grand prix since it was run at the end of the morning to allow horses to compete before the heat of the day, but also because it allowed the riders to present two horses. On the course designed by the Italian Stefano Morriale (ITA), thirteen obstacles, sixteen efforts, stood in front of the combinations. A course described as “delicate and technical” by Philippe Rozier (FRA) during the course walk. A “perfect” course if we are to believe the number of jump-off finaliest, 12, the same number of the classified for a part of the purse in this Grand Prix.
Would the victory go to France, which had ten representatives in this final against the clock? Or to Colombia, which could count on its two riders? First to start in the first round, first clear round and therefore opener of the jump-off, the Colombian Carlos Enrique Lopez Lizarazo (COL), associated with Important de Muze, completed a new shortened course in 40.67 seconds, thus putting the pressure on his pursuers. So much so that halfway through the jump-off, the Haras des Grillons rider was still on pole position!
Others followed in pursuit of the Colombian, Morgan Bordat (FRA), and Roger-Yves Bost received four penalty-points each. Charlotte Léoni (FRA), Marion Skalli (FRA) and Pénélope Leprévost (FRA) had the same fate too. Flawless and fast, Lionel Huc (FRA) and Bonjour d’Iberia were close, but not close enough, finishing eleven-hundredths of a second slower.
Philippe Rozier (FRA), already faultless with his first play-off horse made the Colombian clan tremble with Le Coultre de Muze… But missed the first spot of the podium by one hundredth! A tiny hundredth of a second! Having crossed the finish line in 40.68 seconds, he managed to conquer the second spot of the podium ahead of Lionel Huc (FRA), 40”78, while with his other horse, Night Light Van’T Ruytershof, he also finished fourth in this thrilling grand prix.
While racing their first grand prix together here, Carlos Enrique Lopez Lizarazo (COL) and Important de Muze therefore seem to have laid the foundations for a fruitful collaboration in the making… with the Hubside Jumping Grimaud – Golfe de Saint Tropez being a place where the combinations and the next generation are launched… the Colombian and his new partner demonstrated this to us.
Winner’s Circle – Carlos Lopez Lizarazo (COL)
“Important and I were doing our first contest together this weekend. Sadri Fegaier (FRA) had ridden him for the past two years and he entrusted it to me only three weeks ago. I did not have any idea of his behavior in a jump-off when leaving today. I chose to gallop, telling myself “we will see! “. So I’m glad he went according to plan! I believe in this horse, he needs to gain a little confidence in himself so that we can take the options, but he is a fast horse. He has already brought a lot to Sadri Fegaier and I don’t I wouldn’t be surprised if he soon becomes one of my top horses.”
The Hubside Jumping now takes the road towards the Haras des Grillons, in Valence, where we will find the best riders and horses in the world for two weekends of competition in August, before returning to Grimaud lands for the Hubside Fall Tour, in september. “I am very happy with the outcome of this Grand Prix. See Carlos win and Important to Muze here is a nice satisfaction! I would like to thank all the partners Hubside Jumping for their support, but also the riders for their renewed confidence.
Organizer – Sadri Fegaier (FRA)
“I am now looking forward to welcoming you to the Haras des Grillons in a few weeks, at the occasion of the Hubside Jumping Valence!”, concluded Sadri Fegaier, President and Founder of Hubside Jumping and author of two international victories this week with Farrah W.
Final Results – €60,000 Hubside Store Grand Prix CSI 2*
1) Carlos Enrique Lopez Lizarazo (COL) & Important de Muze – 0 / 0 – 40.67
2) Philippe Rozier (FRA) & Le Coultre de Muze – 0 / 0 – 40.68
3) Lionel Huc (FRA) & Bonjour d’Iberia – 0 / 0 – 40.78
Source: Press Release (translated & edited) by Eloise Lépine / Blizko Communication for Hubside Jumping
Photo: © Hubside Jumping / Sportfot
Categories: CSI 2*, English, Jumper News America Latina
