Paris, France – March 18, 2023 – Super Saturday at the Saut Hermès featured the €62,200 GL Events Prize CSI 5* in the afternoon. The first of the day’s three classes reserved for CSI 5* riders, the Prix GL events was run against the clock at a height of 1.50 meter. On a course created by the duo of course designers selected for the future Olympic Games, Spaniard Santiago Varela Ullastres and his French assistant Grégory Bodo, it was the current World No.1, Henrik Von Eckermann, who secured victory. The Swedish, Olympic champion and reigning world champion, was riding Iliana, a ten-year-old mare.
“I think it was the best round I’ve had on her so far, explains Henrik. Iliana was fast, but under control, in a nice way, so she could win the class. I’m very happy. She’s a mare I really believe in. She’s only ten-years-old so she’s still young in the game. Tomorrow she’s jumping in the Grand Prix Hermès and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for us.”
On the other two steps of the podium, we find French riders Grégory Cottard (FRA) and Kevin Staut (FRA). A revelation of the past few months, Grégory Cottard (FRA), the recent winner of the Grand Prix of Bordeaux CSI 5*, achieved the second best time in 59.11 seconds. He was paired with his eleven-year-old mare Cocaine du Val (Mylord Carthago*HN x Si Tu Viens), which he rides very naturally without a martingale or a noseband.
The duo finished ahead of Kevin Staut (FRA), reigning champion of the €400,000 Hermès Grand Prix CSI 5* with Chepetta last year. Riding Visconti du Telman (Toulon x Dollar du Murier), the World No.10 crossed the finish line in 59.25 seconds.
Final Results – €62,200 GL Events Prize CSI 5*
1) Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) & Iliana – 0 – 58.84
2) Gregory Cottard (FRA) & Cocaine du Val – 0 – 59.11
3) Kevin Staut (FRA) & Visconti du Telman – 0 – 59.25
Source: Press Release (edited) from Saut Hermès
Photos: © Saut Hermès / Christophe Tanière
Categories: CSI 5*, English, Jumper News Sverige
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