Victor Bettendorf Beats “French Musketeers” to Earn Victory in the €100,000 Hubside Grand Prix CSI 4*

By Jumper News on 19 19America/Sao_Paulo September 19America/Sao_Paulo 2022

Grimaud, France – September 18, 2022 – Victor Bettendorf (LUX) and Mr. Tac won the Hubside Store Grand Prix CSI 4*, presented by Indexia, the key event of this second week of competition at the Hubside Fall Tour. The rider, who is currently in top form, was a few hundredths of a second ahead of Roger-Yves Bost (FRA), also knowns as ‘Bosty’ the Rocket, the winner of last week’s Grand Prix 2*, notching up another victory in the same ring after a fourteen-rider jump-off.

Fifty combinations took part in the Hubside Store Grand Prix CSI 4* presented by Indexia on Sunday afternoon. Javier Trenor Paz (ESP), the Spanish course designer, created a track with thirteen fences and sixteen jumps. Although some of the champions’ first rounds like Laura Kraut (USA), who had four penalty-points with Calgary Tame, Nicolas Delmotte (FRA) who had one rail down on the last element of the triple with Gravity Lch and Harry Charles (GBR), who had two down with Casquo Blue, prevented them from going through to the jump-off, fourteen of them still hoped they would be able to add their name to the Hubside Jumping’s list of winners.

Jeanne Sadran (FRA) was first to go in the jump-off which was dominated by France with eight riders competing. With her nine-year-old Dexter de Kerglenn, the young rider had a second clear round in 43.79 seconds. Steve Guerdat (SUI), who was also riding a nine-year-old mare, immediately improved on her time finishing in 41.08 seconds, before France’s Pénélope Leprévost (FRA) went into second place in the provisional line-up with Bingo del Tondou (41.59 seconds). David Will (GER), who was also perfect in the jump-off completed his round in 41.12 seconds, was placed ahead of the French riders.

Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) was the first rider to go under the forty second mark with his mare Ballerine du Vilpion (Baloubet du Rouet x Quidam de Revel), being timed in 39.90 seconds, putting France back in the lead. Simon Delestre (FRA), who was several hundredths of a second faster (39.39 seconds), had one rail down with Tinka’s Hero Z on the final fence. Olivier Perreau (FRA) and GL Events Dorai d’Aiguilly suffered the same fate, as did Philippe Rozier (FRA) and Prestigio Ls La Silla. Belgium’s Zoé Conter (BEL) and La Una had two rails down.

Sweden’s Wilma Hellström (SWE), the final woman to go in this jump-off, went into second place in the provisional line-up thanks to a second clear round on (Ci Ci Senjor Ask x Tornesch), crossin the finsh line in 40.36 seconds. Olivier Robert (FRA) finished in 41.76 seconds and went into sixth place provisionally. Would it be a victory for France, Italy or Luxembourg?

**Victor Bettendorf** (LUX) & **Mr. Tac**

Italy was out of the running as its only representative, Lorenzo de Luca (ITA), ended up with a rail down with Copain du Perchet. But it wasn’t over until Luxembourg’s Victor Bettendorf came into the ring. He finished forty-three hundredths of a second faster than Bosty, went into the lead with Mr Tac and stayed there. The final French rider to compete, Cédric Hurel (FRA) with Fantasio Floreval Z, only managed to go into a joint third place overall with the Swedish rider, as a result of his perfect jumpoff in a time of 40.36 seconds.

Winner’s Circle – Victor Bettendorf (LUX)

‘I watched the first jump-off riders and I was inspired by Bosty’s track, but I tried to go a little bit faster. There is always an excellent field of horses and riders here in St Tropez, so the course designers have their work cut out to separate us. The fences are at the highest level possible, and the time allowed is always tight. But that’s what it takes! It’s always a real pleasure to win here, where the competition is really stiff. Next week, I will be competing in the CSI5* with Mr. Tac, Simolo and Astuce. If all goes well, Mr. Tac will only jump one class before the Grand Prix.’

The Hubside Fall Tour isn’t over! We look forward to seeing you next week with an additional star for a CSI5, the highest level of competition in the world, and then in October with two weekends of 5 and 4* shows. ‘I would like to thank all the Hubside Jumping’s partners for their support, but also the riders for their renewing their trust in us. I warmly congratulate Victor Bettendorf for his victory in the 4* Hubside. Store Grand Prix presented by Indexia. I am also happy to have seen young horses progress over the weeks of competition here at the Hubside Jumping. We are keen to support combinations preparing for major events in the future by offering a varied and evolving sports programme. We will be very happy to host a CSI5* next weekend after the first two weeks of 3* and 4* competitions,’ said Sadri Fegaier, the President and founder of the Hubside Jumping.