Lyon, France – October 28, 2022- Five-star competitions are already underway at the Longines Equita Lyon CSI 5*-W & CSI 2* and the French riders have made a great start! The audience in Lyon enjoyed a first French win in the €26,000 Prix Groupama CSI 5*-W.
Riding Donatello d’Auge, a horse he had bred in Normandy, Julien Epaillard (FRA) delivered the best performance of the 1.50m class. A clear round and a great time (28”74) gave the French rider a fantastic win aboard the 9-year-old Selle Français gelding (Jarnac x Hello Pierville).
Donatello d’Auge is a very consistent horse. This was his third win in a row. At just nine years old, the future looks bright for him,” said the rider from Normandy shortly after his victory, before adding: “If I qualify for the Equita Masters on Saturday night, he will be the one on the starting line with me. Wait and see…”
Of the 53 couples that started the class, the Belgian rider Jérôme Guéry (BEL) was just behind Julien in second place (29”20 seconds) with Azaria Dinero (Mylord Carthago x Drakkar des Hutins).
Pénélope Leprévost (FRA) completed the podium with Texas (Tornesch 1042 x Robin Z), registering no penalties and a time 29”74 seconds in the second phase.
Fninal Results – €26,000 Prix Groupama CSI 5*-W
1) Julien Epaillard (FRA) & Donatello d’Auge – 0 – 24.74
2) Jérôme Guery (BEL) & Azaria Dinero – 0 – 29.20
3) Pénélope Leprévost (FRA) & Texas – 0 – 29.74
Source: Press Release from Longines Equita Lyon
Photos: © Equita Lyon / Jean Morel
