Valence, France – August 26, 2022 – Starting at the very end of the class with Simolo de La Roque Z, Victor Bettendorf (LUX) made short work of the day’s flagship contest at the Hubside Jumping Valence CSI 3*. Already crowned with a victory a few hours earlier, the Luxembourgish took control again with mastery.
Forty-eight combinations were at the start of this Friday’s big event at the Hubside Jumping Valence, counting for the world ranking. Twelve obstacles, fifteen efforts and a second phase against the clock… on a course elaborated by the course designer Cédric Longis (FRA).
First to set off, the Bulgarian rider Konstantin E. van Damme (BUL) and Caesar Z paved the way with art and manner, offering a perfect performance in a time of 31.26 seconds. Turning tight, the combination put pressure from the start on its competitors. Alexa Ferrer (FRA) was the first to take on the challenge, lowering the reference time with Arka de La Hart Z.
However, that was not enough. Haloed by his victory the previous evening, the Normand Titouan Schumacher (FRA) seemed well on his way to taking the advantage, before counting a fault at the finish despite a faster time. Same scenario for the young Margot Rocuet (FRA) and Charles-Henri Fermé (FRA), very effective over time, but hitting a bar on arrival.
The lead exchanged hands several times, temporarily being taken by Pénélope Leprevost (FRA), Philippe Rozier (FRA) or the Argentinian José Maria Larocca Jr. (ARG), respectively associated with GFE Candy de Nantuel, Prestigio Ls La Silla and Finn Lente (Gaillard de La Pomme x Colandro).
It then took all the control and composure of Victor Bettendorf (LUX), who was in very good shape this weekend with already two victories to his reacord, finally winning with a record time of 29.34 seconds. In the saddle on Simolo de La Roque Z, a 2012 grey Zangersheide gelding (Spartacus TN x Casall) the rider Luxembourg did not have cold feet. Good game !
Winner’s Circle – Victor Bettendorf (FRA)
“Last week, here at the Hubside Jumping Valence, I accumulated the four-point courses, and this week, it works well! I am a competitor at heart so I like to win. I rode a very fast horse in this event, and I played the game. Today is a bit of a lucky day so we have to take advantage of it! Simolo de La Roque Z is one of the most reliable partners. If I miss a course, it’s very often because of me and not him. He is extremely respectful and always wants to do the best he can. I think he is a horse of the future to attack the next level next year.”
Final Results – €53,000 Hubside Store CSI 3*
1) Victor Bettendorf (LUX) & Simolo de La Roque Z – 0 / 0 – 29.34
2) José Maria Larocca Jr. (ARG) & Finn Lente – 0 / 0 – 29.69
3) Roberto Turchetto (ITA) & Lovely Girl 25 – 0 / 0 – 30.07
Source: Press Release (translated & edited) by Daniel Koroloff / Blizko Communication for Hubside Jumping Valence
Photos: © Sportfot
Categories: CSI 3*, English, Jumper News France
