La Baule, France – June 08, 2024 – The eagerly awaited €56,800 Pays de la Loire Region Derby CSIO 5*, held every Saturday at the Jumping International de La Baule—Officiel de France, was won by Ireland for the third year running. World No.9 Shane Sweetnam beat the Swiss rider and world no. 3 and 2012 Olympic champion Steve Guerdat (SUI). On Sunday, the €500,000 Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule CSIO 5* promises world-class competition and an exceptional show featuring the world’s best riders.
If you look hard enough, you’ll likely find a few shamrocks lying on the sublime grass pitch of the François André stadium in La Baule. Irish shamrocks, of course, as Irish riders have dominated the Pays de la Loire Region Derby for the past few years. After Shane Breen (IRL) last year and Denis Lynch (IRL) in 2022, Shane Sweetnam (IRL), competing with the 10-year-old mare Irandole du Flot, again demonstrated his mastery of the art of the derby with a perfectly controlled run over the 1,50m and 21 obstacles on the course, ranging from the usual show-jumping elements (verticals, oxers, combinations, etc.) to natural ones (mound, ditch, counter-bottom, counter-high, etc.).
Last to take to the track, the world number 9 beat Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat (SUI) by 2.57s on Easy Star de Talma, the only other clear round of the day on the new course designed by course conductor Grégory Bodo (FRA).
“Winning the Derby at La Baule is always a tremendous victory. I’ve been riding this horse for two years, but this was his first Derby. I was confident, but you never know until you’ve jumped in this event. It’s the third successive Irish victory, which can no doubt be explained by the fact that we grew up galloping in the countryside. This form of riding is part of our culture. These events are great for us and the horses because they help in their training.”
A podium finisher on several occasions in recent years, Steve Guerdat once again had to settle for second place. “I adore this event, and so do my horses”, says the Swiss world no. 3. Many thanks to the organisers and partners. The public loves it, and so do we. We love this sport because we enjoy it, but we also like people to enjoy it. Events like the Derby have everything it takes to do that. Easy Star was fantastic today, even if I needed to be faster again. He’s already won the Derby at Falsterbo and finished runner-up in Dinard. But that’s going to come. It’s pushing me to return and add this race to my list of victories. I thoroughly enjoyed the new course, which is a step in the right direction. We’re used to jumping verticals and oxers, which is quite different. We enjoyed ourselves and the public, who were thrilled with us. It was a wonderful afternoon of sport.”
Twenty-two-year-old British rider Lily Attwood (GBR) was competing in her first derby, as was her horse Johnnie Walker. “It was great fun. I loved it. My first visit to La Baule was a great experience, and I’m in excellent company on the podium.”
Final Results – €56,800 Pays de La Loire Region Derby CSIO 5*
1) Shane Sweetnam (IRL) & Irandole du Flot – 0 – 137.97
2) Steve Guerdat (SUI) & Easy Star de Talma – 0 – 140.54
3) Lily Attwood (GBR) & Johnnie Walker – 4 – 139.77
Source: Press Release (edited) from Jumping International de La Baule
Photos: © PSV Photos
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Categories: CSIO 5*, English, Jumper News Ireland
