Bordeaux, France – February 09, 2025 – In the end, it was the 178th rider of the world ranking who took France’s most beautiful victory at this year’s Jumping International de Bordeaux: a triumph in the AUDI Grand Prix, that saw some of the world’s best riders’ hopes crushed on a course where every fence posed a potential threat.
Despite his 52 years, Cédric Hurel (FRA) is a ‘young’ rider at this 5* level. He got there thanks to his winning companion, Fantasio Floreval Z. Until then, Cédric had devoted himself to training and trading horses that he brought up to 1.50m. But when Fantasio arrived at his stables, he wanted to keep him to see if he was capable of competing over 1.50m. Today, he won a 1.60m class with a horse that was initially intended for his wife, with the idea of competing at 1.30m!
Yesterday, Fantasio Floreval Z was less comfortable on the World Cup course: “That’s why I decided to retire in the middle of the course to keep him fresh for today’s Grand Prix.” This turned out to be a good idea, as the course seemed tailor-made for the reigning French champions from the Paris region: “I was number three on the starting list, so I made up my own mind about this course with this horse that I know so well. And indeed, Fantasio felt at ease and was fresh as he did a fine round. We’re off to a good start here as we’re at the very beginning of the season. We resumed last week after a month and a half off and we’re already feeling good.”
After a technically tricky first round, particularly with that double of light verticals at the end of the course, there were only four riders left in the jump-off: Hurel, Austrian world number 9, Max Kühner (AUT) with EIC Cooley Jump the Q, yesterday’s runner-up in the World Cup, Belgian Pieter Devos (BEL), this time with the chestnut Jarina J, and Julien Épaillard (FRA) with a powerful and spectacular Easy Up de Grandry.
Some people expected the French to repeat last year’s scenario with a Grand Prix victory after 4-faults in the World Cup qualifier, especially as he was last one to go in the jump-off. But although the 11-year-old gelding was impressive in the first round, he still lacked a bit of experience for an indoor jump-off: “That’s exactly it, confirmed the Norman rider. I haven’t done many jump-offs with him, just in Leipzig and here. I think his favourite playground will be the outdoor arena. I have great hopes for the Nations Cups and Championships with this horse.”
In the end, the Austrian was the only other rider to jump a second clear round, being only 32 hundredths of a second behind the winner, for whom this victory was almost a bonus.
“As there were only four of us in the jump-off, I knew that my place would be good, whether it was third or fourth. So, I thought I might as well try something by taking the tightest possible turns, as Fantasio tends to hold back a bit in the gallop. As I started first, I didn’t have any preconceived ideas about the other riders. I just said to myself: I’ll take my chances and we’ll see. But I didn’t expect to win, because I knew we aren’t the fastest in the jump-offs.”
But the story has a happy ending and the man who didn’t expect to win with a horse not meant for this level has just won his first 5* Grand Prix. It just goes to show that sometimes you have to dream.
Final Results – €110,000 Audi Grand Prix CSI 5*-W
1) Cédric Hurel (FRA) & Fantasio Floreval Z – 0 / 0 – 41.76
2) Max Kühner (AUT) & EIC Cooley Jump the Q – 0 / 0 – 42.08
3) Pieter Devos (BEL) & Jarina J – 0 / 4 – 42.61
Source: Press Release by Pascal Renauldon / Agence R&B Presse for Jumping International de Bordeaux
Photos: © Jumping Bordeaux / Artiste Associé
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Categories: CSI 5*-W, English, Jumper News France
