Julien Épaillard & Donatello d’Auge Dazzle in the €106,300 Grand Prix of Mâcon CSI 4*

By Jumper News on 2024-05-27

Mâcon Chaintré, France – May 26, 2024 – The line-up of the 2024 edition of the Jumping International de Mâcon Chaintré promised some great sporting performances. Many spectators came to watch the 4* Grand Prix of the Town of Mâcon – in memory of Patrick Journet – and rightly so! Fifty champions competed on the 1.55m course imagined by French course designer, Cédric Longis (FRA), offering a perfect scenario. After a seven-rider jump-off, France’s Julien Épaillard (FRA) with Donatello d’Auge were the winners. The World number 4 beat another well-known combination, none other than the 2022 World individual silver medallists Jérôme Guéry (BEL) and Quel Homme de Hus. Germany’s Pia Reich (GER) completed the podium with PB Loewenherz.

On Sunday, the fifty combinations taking part in the Grand Prix of the Town of Mâcon had to jump the thirteen fences and sixteen jumps, standing 1.55 metres high, featured on the French course designer’s plan. After an exciting first round, seven combinations of the impressive line-up of riders present in Mâcon managed to qualify for the jump-off.

Four women and three men, representing Great Britain, France, Ireland, Belgium and Germany, competed on the shorter course format against the clock. Great Britain’s Lily Atwood (GER) was first to go and set off at a good pace with Cor-Leon VD Vlierbeek Z, but had a rail down on the second last fence, putting her into sixth place. Ireland’s Mark McAuley (IRL) and Destinée des Vains also got off to a fast start. They completed the round in 43.47 seconds, but had a rail down on the first element of the Laurent Guillet double and finished in fourth place.

**Julien Épaillard** (FRA) & **Donatello d’Auge**

The podium was dominated by the best French rider in the World rankings. After two victories in the 1.50 m classes this weekend, Julien Épaillard (FRA) won the Grand Prix with Donatello d’Auge in a time of 41.84 seconds. French riders Mégane Moissonnier (FRA) with Bracadabra and Marie Pellegrin (FRA) with Deuxcatsix d’Eglefin tried to outdo him but were unable to jump clear. While Mégane had a rail down on the final fence, Marie had one down on the first vertical and then on the last oxer on the course. They finished in fifth and sixth place respectively.

**Jérôme Guéry** (BEL) & **Quel Homme de Hus**

The other star of the weekend, Jérôme Guéry (BEL) and his crack horse Quel Homme de Hus, back competing at Grand Prix-level, put on a real show for the spectators in Mâcon with a perfect jump-off. They effortlessly finished in a time of 44.71 seconds, allowing them to get on the second step of the podium.

Germany’s Pia Reich (GER), who was last to go with PB Loewenherz, decided to play it safe. She completed her jump-off in 51.34 seconds, and finished with a broad smile and a third place in in this Grand Prix.

Épaillard, Guéry, Reich: an international podium worthy of the finest 5* Grands Prix brought this first CSI4* edition of the Jumping International de Mâcon Chaintré to a close, to the delight of the members of the Mâcon Chaintré Événements association, organisers of this event.

Winners’ Circle

Julien Épaillard (FRA), winner of the 4* Grand Prix of the Town of Mâcon with Donatello d’Auge:
“The initial round was perfect. Seven riders for a jump-off is ideal! Donatello wasn’t in great shape after Fontainebleau and Windsor, so I gave him a few weeks to completely rest. Everything was going well from a veterinary perspective, so I turned him out with his pals for a fortnight and he’s in great form again here. He seems to be in good spirits again! There’s a great atmosphere here in Mâcon. The horses are accommodated in big, permanent boxes, the rings are excellent, we have plenty of room to work well and the conditions for the grooms are also very good. The people here are lovely, which is an added bonus. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone!”

Jérôme Guéry (BEL), second in the 4* Grand Prix of the Town of Mâcon with Quel Homme de Hus: “It’s true that Quel Homme is making his return to this level of competition after a long absence. I felt he was in good form and I thought it was time to work on the jump-offs again, because that’s also part of getting him fit again. I can’t go as fast as Julien Épaillard, but the horse is responding perfectly to our expectations at this stage and the whole team is very happy to see him back in this form. It’s very promising for the future. It’s been a great weekend here, I’ve had some great wins and been placed a lot. We came here to train the horses but also to see where we were with Quel Homme in the Grand Prix, so the results are very positive.”

Pia Reich (GER) third in the Grand Prix of the Town of Mâcon with PB Loewenherz:
“I was the last to go in this jump-off and my horse clearly doesn’t have the experience of the first two so I decided to be cautious. I preferred to give myself every chance of a double clear by not going too fast. I’m very happy with this weekend. It’s a fantastic show, the organisation is amazing, everyone’s looking out for us and that’s something I really appreciate. I hope I’ll have the chance to come back for other competitions at this level!”

Isabelle Breul, Director of the Mâcon Chaintré Equestrian Centre and Vice-President of Mâcon Chaintré Événements:
“It’s a pleasure and honour for the Mâcon Chaintré Événements association to put Julien Épaillard’s name on the list of winners of the first 4* Grand Prix! I would like to say a huge thank you to all the riders present for trusting us, and to all our partners. They are absolutely essential to making this first 4* event a success, as are all our volunteers and service providers, who have been working for several months to prepare this event! I’d like to warmly congratulate each and every one of them,” said Isabelle Breul, Director of Mâcon Chaintré’s Equestrian Centre, which hosted this week’s competition.