Arezzo, Italy – April 03, 2023 – The second week of the 2023 Toscana Tour came to an end in grand fashion on Sunday at the Arezzo Equestrian Centre and it was a Frenchman who shone the brightest amongst some of the best riders in the world and their high-flying partners. Despite not being among the favorites, Pierre Marie Friant (FRA) and Urdy d’Astree flew past the favorites to win the €53,200 Kask Grand Prix CSI 3*.
Sixty combinations took to the skies at the Bocaccio Arena, attempting to overcome 13 obstacles in 16 efforts on the course designed by Uliano Vezzani (ITA). After the first round, 12 pairs had to manage to do so but only 6 riders left all the poles up in the tiebreaker, leaving time to decide the eventual winners. Pierre Marie Friant (FRA) was unfazed by the spotlight, being the quickest one aboard the 2008 chestnut Selle Français gelding (Bouffon du Murier*Janssen x Pamphile), completing their second run in 42.12 seconds.
The French were flying high in the 1.50m class, in fact, they claimed the top two positions on the podium. Franços Xavier Boudant (FRA) and Brazyl du Mezel (Haloubet de Gorze x Apache d’Adrier) put on a solid effort, finishing second due to their final time of 42.69 seconds.
The level of competition was high, highlighted by the seventh-best rider in the world, Marlon Módolo Zanotelli (BRA), who earned a respectable third-place finish. He guided Harwich VDL (Arezzo VDL x Darco) across the finish line in 43.22 seconds in the tiebreaeker.
Final Results – €53,200 Kask Grand Prix CSI 3*
1) Pierre Marie Friant (FRA) & Urdy d’Astree – 0 / 0 – 42.12
2) François Xavier Boudant (FRA) & Brazyl du Mezel – 0 / 0 – 42.69
3) Marlon Módolo Zanotelli (BRA) & Harwich VDL – 0 / 0 – 43.22
Text: Jumper News, no reproduction without permission.
Photos: © Arezzo Equestrian Centre
Categories: CSI 3*, English, Jumper News France
