Fontainebleau, France – April 26, 2024 – The (really) serious business got started at the Printemps des Sports Équestres as the CSI 5*competition unfolded at the Grand Parquet de Fontainebleau. The first major class of the weekend – the €120,000 Audevard Prize CSI 5* with 1.55m obstacles – was won by a couple that have had many victories over the last few years, but that we have not seen together since the end of last summer. With a spring in her step, Killer Queen VDM gave Daniel Deusser an extremely promising start to this weekend’s events.
The course – created by the course designers Grégory Bodo (FRA) and Santiago Varela Ullastres (ESP) – was perfectly suited to the German rider, who finished ahead of his compatriot, Kendra Claricia Brinkop (GER), on Do It Easy in second place.
Ireland’s Mark McAuley (IRL) rounded out the top three with GRS Lady Amaro.
The highest-ranked French rider was Grégory Cottard (FRA). The rider from the Paris region was fifth on Bibici.
Daniel Deusser:
“Killer Queen VDM has not taken part in many competitions this season; we started competing together again on the Sunshine Tour, then followed that up with two weeks at Saint-Tropez Gassin. In fact, this is her first CSI 5* event since returning, so I’m delighted that she did so well. She might even be a bit too fresh and feisty for a competition like this (laughs). I might let her rest tomorrow and we’ll go out again on Sunday. I don’t know yet… What I do know is that she will be competing on Sunday.”
“There were a few options in terms of the strides on this course, which is always an advantage for me, since she has a long stride. I can’t say that I went into the race thinking we would win, but after the first three jumps, I realised that it was undoubtedly the day to give it a go.”
“Physically, and with her warrior spirit, Killer Queen is more than ready to jump on Sunday. That being said, we need to gauge where we are together. Like I said, today was her big comeback at this level, and it would be great to put in a performance on Sunday, but I’ll have to see how fresh she is.
I haven’t been to Fontainebleau for a few years now; the last time, the course was still on grass and I hope we’ll soon be able to jump on the Grand Parquet again. But I have to say that I’m really impressed with how the site has been transformed for the Printemps des Sports Équestres! The two sand-covered arenas are fantastic; this afternoon, you couldn’t have had a better atmosphere, with the sun and the spectators.”
Final Results – €120,000 Audevard Prize CSI 5*
1) Daniel Deusser (GER) & Killer Queen VDM – 0 – 66.42
2) Kendra Claricia Brinkop (GER) & Do It Easy – 0 – 67.17
3) Mark McAuley (IRL) & GRS Lady Amaro – 0 – 68.90
Source: Press Release (edited) by Éloïse Lépine GL Events for Le Printemps des Sports Équestres
Photos: © PSV – J. Morel
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Categories: CSI 5*, English, Jumper News Deutschland
