The four days of Jumping International Dinard 2018 came to a conclusion on Sunday, in the best possible way with the CSI5* Rolex Grand Prix.

Over a 1.60m course, 35 pairs were tested and in the end seven came back for the jump-off after producing clear rounds.

It was American rider Mclain Ward, riding his fantastic grey mare Clinta (Clinton x Lord Pezi), that wrote his name on the record of this top-level class with a clear round in a time of 46.14 seconds. For his first time in Dinard, the rider was full of praise: “I am very excited, it’s a beautiful event. I was a bit lucky since the other riders made some mistakes. I have been riding Clinta since March, and the 4th Grand Prix she wins. I am very grateful to her, her owners and my whole team."

The second place went to Henrik von Eckermann and Mary Lou 194 (Montendro x Portland L), after a clear round in 46.89 seconds. The Swedish rider, who was in Dinard for the first time as well, said: “It is a fantastic show, I am really happy I could come here. I hope they give me an invitation for next year as well, because I really enjoyed it. I am also happy with my horse, I did a little mistake between one and two in the jump-off but I take responsibility for it."

French rider Nicolas Delmotte, winner of the Rolex Grand Prix 2017, shone this year again and took the third place with his partner Ilex VP (Diamant de Semilly x Darco) after a beautiful double clear round in a time of 47.15. The French rider was really happy with his horse, who likes this stadium: “I am pleased and proud to be in this jump-off with the best riders in the world. I would like to congratulate the course designers, both in the 3* and the 5*, the organization we hardly see anywhere else, and the public. Once in the arena, we can really feel their support. It’s for sure one of the most fantastic shows in the world, I already thought that way when it was only a 2*!”

The CSI3* 1.50m l’Eperon/Charles de Cazanove Grand Prix went to French rider Julien Gonin riding Well Done (Vdl Sheraton x Zeus), with a time of 41.76 ahead of the very experienced Swiss rider Beat Mändli on Dibatsja (Veron x Indoctro) and Belgian rider Gudrun Patteet on Sea Coast Kira (Emerald van't Ruytershof x Querlybet Hero).