Paris, France – March 16, 2024 – The Marseillaise rang out around the Grand Palais Éphémère again at the end of the €62,000 GL Events Prize CSI 5* won by Simon Delestre (FRA). From eastern France, the French rider, paired with Olga van de Kruishoeve, a 10-year-old (BWP) mare which he has been riding since last summer, enjoyed a textbook course in this class run against the clock at a height of 1m50. Kicking off the class, the current world No.7 and former No.1 could only watch as all his rivals faltered in their bid to beat his time (59’’30).
“It’s a fabulous victory, enthused Simon, double champion of the Grand Prix Hermès with Hermès Ryan in 2018 and 2019. Olga is a quick mare and is able to post a consistent performance at this level. She won in Doha, where she was a prize winner in twelve of the thirteen courses. She also won in Riyadh and Morocco, and this is her seventh international victory in six months. The Saut Hermès is her first indoor competition of the season and it will also be her last. It’s great to see her win.”
Accompanying Simon Delestre (FRA) at the prize-giving were two members of the French Team champions at the Rio Olympics. The penultimate rider to enter the ring, Philippe Rozier (FRA) caused his compatriot to get hot under the collar. Just two hundredths of a second separated the two Frenchmen. “When the horse is trusting and in harmony with me, he’s incredible, explains Rozier. On top of that he is a joy to ride.”
Meantime, third in Friday’s Prix du Grand Palais, Kevin Staut (FRA) repeated his performance (60’’89). Also a former world No.1, he is continuing to excel with Cloe GP Z, a 14-year-old mare that he’s still only just getting to grips with as this is only their 4th competition together.
It’s also worth highlighting the stellar performance by Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) and Ever de Turan (61’’00), the third Olympic champion in Rio competing in this Prix GL events, and Nicolas Delmotte (FRA) on Citadin du Chatellier, the fifth rider of this French top-five!
Final Results – €62,000 GL Events Prize CSI 5*
1) Simon Delestre (FRA) & Olga van de Kruishoeve – 0 – 59.30
2) Philippe Rozier (FRA) & Le Coutre de Muze – 0 – 59.32
3) Kevin Staut (FRA) & Cloe GP Z – 0 – 60.89
Source: Press Release from Saut Hermès
Photos: © Saut Hermès / Christophe Tanière
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Categories: CSI 5*, English, Jumper News France
