Valkenswaard, The Netherlands – July 31, 2022 – The closing day of thrilling action at Tops International Arena Summer Event Three ended with flying Frenchman Simon Delestre (FRA) and lightning fast Dexter Fontenis Z stealing the win in the €100,000 Grand Prix of Valkenswaard CSI 4* .
Delestre denied Sanne Thijssen (NED) and her Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix winning partner Con Quidam RB (Quinar Z x Cardino 5) a home win today as they stopped the clock over a second faster in the 1.55m jump-off.
The Frenchman and the 9-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Diarado x Voltaire) crossed the jump-off timers in 43.16 seconds. It was Simon’s flyer to the penultimate fence and him risking it all to the last that mean he took the lion’s share of the €100,000 prize purse.
Continuing his fantastic form Emanuele Gaudiano gave it the best go possible having to settle for third in the end just 0.09s slower than Thijssen on Crack Balou (Balou du Reventon x Chacco Blue).
All week top riders have praised the phenomenal facilities at Tops International Arena including Christian Kukuk (GER) who said: “I always like coming to Valkenswaard because you have top training facilities, top warm ups, top rings and the whole package with the permanent stables is just one of the best in Europe. You can work with your horses under the best conditions.”
Final Results – €100,000 Grand Prix of Valkenswaard CSI 4*
1) Simon Delestre (FRA) & Dexter Fontenis Z – 0 / 0 – 43.16
2) Sanne Thijssen (NED) & Con Quidam RB – 0 / 0 – 44.60
3) Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) & Crack Balou – 0 / 0 – 44.69
Source: Press Release (edited) from Tops International Arena
Photos: © Tops International Arena
Categories: CSI 4*, English, Jumper News France
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