Grimaud, France – September 24, 2022 – This is undoubtedly the duel of this third week of Fall Tour! On one hand, the Italian Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA), already three victories to his credit in three days. On the other, the Luxembourgeoise, Victor Bettendorf (LUX), “only one” first place this week, but four rankings in third position, and the Grand Prix 4 * last week on his list.
On Saturday, in the most important class of the day, the €51,500 Hubside Store Jump-off Challenge CSI 5*, the advantage turned in favor of Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA), who won with his faithful Chalou. The Italian and the 2009 chestnut Oldenburg gelding (Chacco-Blue x Baloubet du Rouet) flew towards victory across the finish line, doing so after two penalty-free performances and a final time of 38.91 seconds.
Despite the Italian’s supremacy, Victor Bettendorf (LUX) did not disappoint. He and his faithful partner, Simolo de La Roque Z (Spartacus TN x Casall) were third, seven-tenths of a second behind the winners.
Who could dethrone either one of them in the €200,000 Hubside Store Grand Prix CSI 5*, presented by Indexia? The ball seems to be in the center, and other riders seem perfectly motivated to play the role of spoiler, like the Frenchman Simon Delestre (FRA), who was second today with I Amelusina R 51. The Frenchman guided the 2013 chestnut Dutch Warblood stallion (Dexter R x Chin Chin) in flawless fashion, securing silver honors in 39.57 seconds.
Throw a female rider in the mix of the potential winners of the 5* grand prix, the best rider in the event, Pénélope Leprévost (FRA), who was fourth with Texas on Saturday.
Winner’s Circle – Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA)
“Today, Chalou was particularly fast in the jump-off. We had to give everything, since behind us, we knew that there were eleven other combinations, very ambitious riders and also very fast horses. Maybe the ones I feared the most were Victor (Bettendorf, editor’s note), Simon (Delestre, editor’s note) and Steve (Guerdat, editor’s note) I think I’m one of the only ones to have attempted eight strides between obstacles 1 and , which was possible thanks to the great amplitude of Chalou. I also think I saved time on the last two obstacles. In any case, it was a great jump-off to jump and things went very well for Chalou and me. We will see if it will be the same in the Grand Prix tomorrow.”
Final Results – €51,500 Hubside Store Jump-off Challenge CSI 5*
1) Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) & Chalou– 0 / 0 – 38.91
2) Simon Delestre (FRA) & I Amelusina R 51 – 0 / 0 – 39.57
3) Victor Bettendorf (LUX) & Simolo de La Roque Z– 0 / 0 – 39.61
Source: Press Release (translated & edited) by Daniel Koroloff / Blizko Communication for Hubside Jumping
Photos: © Hubside Jumping
Categories: CSI 5*, English, Jumper News Italia
