Edited press release from Hubside Jumping
Once again, Julien Epaillard was unbeatable at Hubside Jumping Grimaud-Golfe de Saint Tropez – winning both of Thursday's world ranking classes.
The first victory came in Thursday's CSI5* 1.50m against the clock counting for the Longines Ranking. With Usual Suspect d'Auge (Jarnac x Papillon Rouge), Epaillard was 0.11 seconds faster than his compatriot Simon Delestre on Chesall Zimequest (Casall x Concerto II). Nicolas Delmotte, winner of last weekend's CSIO5* Grand Prix in La Baule, ended third with Ilex VP (Diamant de Semilly x Darco) – finishing his round almost a second behind Epaillard. Italy's Giulia Martinengo Marquet broke the French spell, taking fourth with Elzas (Diamant de Semilly x Cornet Obolensky) followed by home rider Max Thirouin with Utopie Villelongue (Mylord Carthago*HN x Calypso d'Herbiers) in fifth.
"There were quite a few pairs faster than Usual Supect and me in this class, but with a fault. I didn't go all the way, but that was enough," Epaillard said about his win.
In the following class, the 1.45m, Epaillard rode Solero MS (Silvio I x Espri) to the win ahead of the Irishman Darragh Kenny on Vinci de Beaufour (Diamant de Semilly x Heartbreaker). In third followed another French rider – Olivier Perreau, on GL events Dolce Deceuninck (Toulon x Cartier van de Heffinck).
"Solero MS jumped two 1.45m classes last week and won both," Epaillard said. "This is his third victory at this height. On Saturday, he will continue on in the 1.45m. He is a very competitive horse, with a lot of skill."