French Fight for First! One Hundredth of a Second Decides Which Julien Wins the €26,200 Hermès Sellier Prize CSI 5*

By Jumper News on 18 18America/Sao_Paulo March 18America/Sao_Paulo 2023

Paris, France – March 17, 2023 – For the second consecutive year, it is in the Grand Palais Éphémère arena, the future venue for the Paris Olympics 2024 based at the Champ-de-Mars opposite the Eiffel Tower, that the competition got underway at the 2023 Saut Hermès. Three events made up the program for this opening day, all of them created by the same duo of course designers that will be responsible for the courses at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Spaniard Santiago Varela Ullastres (ESP) and his French assistant Grégory Bodo (FRA).

The first day of competition rounded off with a rendition of the Marseillaise thanks to a win for Julien Anquetin (FRA) in the €26,200 Hermès Sellier Prize CSI 5*.

There was stiff competition in this final class of the day. Friday’s highlight, the €26,200 Hermès Sellier Prize CSI 5* comprised a course against the clock with jumps set at 1m50. It was neck and neck between two Juliens heading the group: Julien Anquetin`s time of 62.22 seconds against Julien Épaillard (62’’23)!

**Julien Épaillard** (FRA) & **Dubai du Cedre**

Paired with Blood Diamond du Pont, the French Saddle gelding, Anquetin bagged victory by just a hundredth of a second ahead of the world number three, Julien Épaillard (FRA).

**Emanuele Gaudiano** (ITA) & **Chalou**

Italian rider Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) secures third place paired with Chalou (Chacco-Blue x Baloubet du Rouet), completing their flawless performance in 63.32 seconds. He ranked ahead of another French rider, Olivier Perreau (FRA). Already second in the first class on GL Events Dolce Deceuninck, Olivier Perreau (FRA) finished fourth on GL Events Venizia d’Aiguilly (64’’27).

**Julien Anquetin** (FRA) & **Blood Diamond du Pont**

Winner’s Circle – Julien Anquetin (FRA)

“I’m very happy, smiled the rider ranked seventy-three in the world. There was absolutely nothing in it! It’s always a pleasure to win a class, especially ahead of ‘Juju’, who’s the fastest rider in the world! My horse Blood is incredible. I’ve had him for eight years. He’s very generous and wilful. He’s posted lots of great results this year, ranking in every one of his classes.” As a result, the duo who last year qualified for the jump-off in the Grand Prix Hermès, finishes ahead of Julien Épaillard on Dubai du Cèdre.

The Hermès Sellier Prize CSI 5* served as a qualifier for the main event on Saturday, 18 March at 15:00 hours, the Saut Hermès, in which a draw will decide on the 10 competing mixed couples made up of the ten best women and the ten best men from the Prix Hermès Sellier ranking.

In the nave adorned in the event’s distinctive colours, visitors will be treated to a three-day celebration of equestrianism, high-level sport and exceptional craftsmanship. Demonstrations of know-how by the Parisian house’s saddlerleather workers, an original virtual reality experience, a themed café and bookshop, and an all-new show will bring a celebratory and convivial spirit to the walkways and the arena.

Hermès is once again very pleased to be organising this international competition with its long-standing partners GL events and the Réunion des musées nationaux – Grand Palais, with whom it shares its core values of excellence and transmission.