Vejer de La Frontera, Spain – February 18, 2024 – In the €106,675 Dunas de Barbate Grand Prix CSI 4* today, there was a thrilling five horse jump-off. First to go Philip Weishaupt (GER) setting the time to beat at 36.48 seconds, aboard Coby 8. This challenge led to some very competitive jumping, but it wasn’t until the very last rider out, Penelope Leprevost (FRA) took to the arena, that his time looked under any threat.
With a flawless round and ending with an enormous grin, this stylish French rider rode a technically prefect round and stopped the timers in just 36.29 seconds as the crowd in the stands cheered her on. Clearly delighted with this win on the talented 13-year-old gelding, Texas (Tornesch 1042 x Robin Z) we interviewed her after her winning round:
“I am happy my ‘Texas’ won the 4* Grand Prix, Dunas de Barbate. It was really amazing. To be honest, when I walked the course, I said OK, its big enough, but my horse has scope and he knows his job”. Penelope explained that last week when they, arrived they had only jumped two warm up classes on grass, before competing in this Grand Prix. “So we had a super, super, first round… and in the jump off I knew my ‘Texas’ is fast, and it was fast enough the top spot (which was held by Philip) Weishaupt, but Texas was faster.
Penelope also stated: ’Texas’ was supposed to be jumping in Bordeaux and aiming to go over to Wellington for the CSIO, but plans change” and she now hopes to jump next week’s Grand Prix, then she will go home after three weeks here at the Sunshine Tour.
Philip Weishaupt (GER), in the end, took a well deserved second place in this 2024 Paris Olympic qualifier around this 1.55m, demanding course, designed by Italian, Uliano Vezzani (ITA). Third with a beautifully fluid round was Belgian rider, Gilles Thomas (BEL) with Ermitage Kalone; fourth with another stylish round, was Dutch, Mel Thijssen with ‘Imodo’ and in fifth, was Polish rider, Adam Grzegorzewski with Issem. These were the five that qualified for the jump off in this demanding class held on grass in the main David Broome grass arena.
Final Results – €106,675 Dunas de Barbate Grand Prix CSI 4*
1) Pénélope Leprévost (FRA) & Texas – 0 / 0 – 36.29
2) Philipp Weishaupt (GER) & Coby – 0 / 0 – 36.48
3) Gilles Thomas (BEL) & Ermitage Kalone – 0 / 0 – 37.60
Source: Press Release from the Andalucía Sunshine Tour
Photos: © Andalucía Sunshine Tour / Mackenzie Clark
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Categories: CSI 4*, English, Jumper News France
