Marlon Zanotelli & VDL Edgar M Shift to a Higher Gear to Win €215,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup of Bordeaux CSI 5*-W

By Jumper News on 5 05America/Sao_Paulo February 05America/Sao_Paulo 2023

Bordeaux, France – February 04, 2023 – There were plenty of candidates for victory today: seventeen starters in the jump-off, a record for the Bordeaux leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™. However, the jump-off did not seem that long as it was full of twists and turns with five successive leaders before the Brazilian Marlon Módolo Zanotelli (BRA) had the last word. It is the second Brazilian victory in Bordeaux, after the one of a certain Rodrigo Pessoa in 2004 with the great Baloubet du Rouet. With this victory, Rodrigo’s successor secures his ticket to the Omaha final.

**Henrik von Eckermann** (SWE) & **King Edward**

Another explanation for the large number of qualifiers in this jump-off is the quality of the horses at the start as Henrik von Eckermann (SWE), third in this Grand Prix with his steadfast King Edward, pointed out: “Of course, the start of the course could have been a little bit more difficult and the time allowed a little bit tighter. When the riders are focused on tight time, it can lead to mistakes, but it is always easier to criticize afterwards. And I’m happy not to have to do the job of course designer.”

But in the end, Jean-François Morand (FRA) offered a very exciting jump-off with a nice podium, and great sport is what counts. “I’m not disappointed with this third place“, underlined the World Champion. “King Edward is always there. Winning from time to time is one thing, being consistent over the long term is another. King Edward never disappoints me and today I felt he was in the same shape, in the same mood as he was at the World Championships and that’s why I was as happy as I would have been after a victory today“.

After a second place in Amsterdam, the young Swiss rider Edouard Schmitz (SUI) did it again in Bordeaux with Quno. There could have been frustration as he came very close to victory, which he missed Saturday by 33 hundredths, but he was beaming: “I’m especially satisfied to have secured my ticket for the final. It is a great pleasure to be qualified for such a jump-off two weekends in a row and to see my horse performing well once again. As a rider you live for this kind of emotions and you want to share them with your entourage, your grooms and with the public who is always so supportive and encouraging.”

**Marlon Módolo Zanotelli** (BRA) & **VDL Edgar M**

The Brazilian Marlon Módolo Zanotelli (BRA) had the advantage of being the last to start in the jump-off, an undeniable advantage when you can observe the fifteen or so riders ahead of you and thus be able to readjust your strategy: “After seeing the first half of the jump-off, my wife (the Swedish rider Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli, who also took part in the class yet with less success) and I defined the best way with the best number of strides which we modified as the jump-off went along.”

I think that if I had had to jump in the beginning, I would not have found myself on the top of the podium tonight. Having said that, my horse VDL Edgar M, is making progress in terms of speed. In Lyon he was already second, but Julien Epaillard was ahead and I didn’t even try. Now, as you have seen, Edgar is performing better and better, but I don’t like to talk about it too much as I want to keep it a secret and surprise the others. (laughs).”

There was not one French among the first eight riders. Pénélope Leprévost (FRA) was placed ninth on Bingo del Tondou with a very nice double clear round… but things went very fast on Saturday evening, too fast for this powerful horse in the making. This absence of French riders from the prize giving did not disappoint the wonderful public who gave the most beautiful ovation for this beautiful Brazilian-Swiss-Swedish podium. This enthusiasm for all riders, regardless their nationality, is the trademark of this French leg of the FEI Jumping World Cup™. And that’s what the riders love about this show.