Madrid, Spain – November 25, 2022 – A great evening of top sport took place on Friday night during the opening day of the IFEMA Madrid Horse Week, highlighted by the big competition of the CSI 5*-W, the €95,550 City of Madrid Trophy CSI 5*-W .
The first victory was awarded to the great French rider Julien Epaillard (FRA). In 2021, he won the three highest competitions of IFEMA Madrid Horse Week CSI 5*-W. This year Julien Epaillard has started the 2022 edition with clear intentions of repeating. Coming in second place in the first competition held in the afternoon with fences of 1.45m, Julien Epaillard (FRA) did not take the second chance for granted, the Ciudad de Madrid Trophy. The French rider prevailed over heights of 1’50 with his magnificent “Caracole de la Roque”.
The large public, who witnessed the competition that opened the Friday night session in IFEMA MADRID was able to enjoy a Julien Epaillard (FRA) in his best shape. The Haras de la Bosquetterie rider was a hurricane on the track designed by Javier Trenor (ESP), establishing a difference of almost 3 seconds over his rivals.
And that on a course where riders and horses of a very high level were also competing. Grand prizes (31,500 euros for the winner) and a layout that offered options to cut, motivated the many riders of the international circuit that come together at IFEMA, to perform at their best.
Julien Epaillard (FRA) however gave his rivals no chance. With an impressive run with Caracole de La Roque (Zandor Z x Kannan) that he completed in 55.25 seconds, he beat the runner up, the Irishman Denis Lynch (IRL) with GC Chopin’s Bushi (Contendro II x Nairobi), by more than 2 seconds (57.86 seconds). They were the only ones of the 47 participants in the 1.50m challenge, who completed their course with a clear round in less than 60 seconds. The current Olympic champion, the British Ben Maher (GBR), was third with Exit Remo (San Remo x Ferro), securing bronze honors in 60.15 seconds.
The Councilor for Tourism of the Madrid City Council, Almudena Maíllo, presented the trophy to the winner of the event, Julien Epaillard.
Final Results – €95,550 City of Madrid Trophy CSI 5*-W
1) Julien Epaillard (FRA) & Caracole de La Roque – 0 – 55.25
2) Denis Lynch (IRL) & GC Chopin’s Bushi – 0 – 57.86
3) Ben Maher (GBR) & Exit Remo – 0 – 60.15
Source: Press Release from Oxersport for Madrid Horse Week
Photo: © IFEMA Madrid Horse Week
Categories: CSI 5*, English, Jumper News France
