La Baule, France – June 08, 2024 – In the Saur Prize CSI 5*, the second most lucrative event of the competition (€110,000) and the last chance for some to qualify for Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule CSIO 5*, Dutchman Lars Kersten (NED), on Funky Fred Marienshof Z, sprang a surprise by being the fastest through the nine of the nine barriers. 

The 24-year-old rider and world n°130 finished ahead of such prestigious riders as American Mclain Ward (USA) on Callas (2nd, two- hundredths behind), Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam (world n°9) on RR Combella, Austria’s Max Kühner (AUT – n°5) on EIC Quantum Robin V, Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs (SUI – n°6) on Bastille, and American Kent Farrington USA – n°7) on Toulayna. The only French qualifier, Nicolas Delmotte (FRA), with Jordan Molga M, finished in eighth place. 

“I’m delighted to win in front of such a large crowd,”Kersten enthused. “My stallion is only ten years old). He has run well indoors but is still discovering this type of big track. I hope to take him to the Nations Cups in the coming months. I was lucky in the jump-off because I nearly made a mistake, but the result was fantastic”. 

Final Results – €110,000 Saur Prize CSIO 5*

1) Lars Kersten (NED) & Funky Fred Marienshof Z – 0 / 0 – 42.14

2) McLain Ward (USA) & HH Callas – 0 / 0 – 42.16

3) Shane Sweetnam (IRL) & RR Combella – 0 / 0 – 42.69

Source: Press Release from Jumping International de La Baule

Photos: © PSV Photo

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