World of Showjumping
World of ShowjumpingWorld of Showjumping
Menu

More French fireworks at the Autumn MET 2017 as Julien Epaillard finishes with a win in the €30,000 Grand Prix presented by CHG

Sunday, 15 October 2017
Autumn MET 2017

 Photo (c) Hervé Bonnaud / www.1clicphoto.com. Julien Epaillard and Toupie de La Roque won Sunday's CSI2* Grand Prix at the Autumn MET 2017. Photo (c) Hervé Bonnaud / www.1clicphoto.com.

The second week of the Autumn MET 2017 concluded on Sunday, with another win for Julien Epaillard (FRA) in the CSI2* 1.45m Grand Prix – presented by Construcciones Hispano Germanas S.A. Worth a total of 30 000 Euro, and counting for the Longines Ranking – the Trofeo CHG saw a total of 53 horse and rider combinations lining up for the challenge.

The 1.45m track set by the experienced team of course designers Christian Wiegand (GER) and Peter Schumacher (GER) counted 13 obstacles and 15 efforts in a time allowed of 88 seconds. With an open water at fence number eight and an oxer-vertical-oxer triple combination at fence 12, the course offered a fair bit of challenges to the horses and riders. Eleven pairs jumped clear in the first round, joining the jump-off over a shortened, seven obstacle track.

Just like during the opening weekend of the Autumn MET, it was the first to go in the jump-off that set the winning time; Julien Epaillard on the 10-year-old mare Toupie de La Roque (Kannan x Nabab de Reve) started off in full speed, setting the standard for the rest to follow with his time of 39,53 seconds.

None of the ten remaining pairs could beat the French rider, with Constant van Paesschen (BEL) on the 10-year-old gelding Compadre van de Helle (Casall x Concerto II) getting the closest with his time of 40,26 seconds, taking the runner-up position. Niall Talbott (IRL) on the 13-year-old gelding Caracter (Carano x Liatos) took the third spot with a time of 41,26 seconds, while Govett Triggol (RSA), who has shown great form during the tour, placed fourth on the 11-year-old mare Wolke 334 (Quinar x Acord II) in a time of 41,66 seconds. Emily Short (USA) on the 11-year-old gelding Beaumont W/V (Ukato x Corland) clocked a time of 43,26 seconds in the jump-off, taking home the fifth place.

Second placed Constant van Paesschen praised the course builders: “I think the course today was very nicely built,” he said. “And my horse, he is just amazing. I could not have asked more from him here – he has jumped great during the whole Tour. This is the place to be, I think – to end the outdoor season with facilities like this and in such great weather, you don’t get this anywhere else. The stables are great, the footing is good and the beach – that is just the little bonus on top. I am very happy to end my outdoor season here.”

Julien Epaillard agreed with Van Paesschen on the course building: “It was a nice course today, with only one triple combination and no double combination – but the triple was at the end of the course. And with the open water, it was all difficult enough today!” the winner said.

“I was first to go in the jump-off, and I tried to do my best. I am very happy that it was enough! My horse had a break for three months, and I came here to build her up again. I think this was a nice way to finish the two weeks here,” said Epaillard.

“I really like the place here in Oliva – it is not too far from where I live, the facilities are great to work in and the weather is always beautiful. Whenever I have horses that need to do some two-star shows, I come here – it is the perfect place for getting horses ready for the five-star circuit,” concluded the winner.

The Autumn MET 2017 now takes a week break, and resumes on Tuesday 24th of October for the second part of the Tour with three weeks of competition.

 


Source: Press release from the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour // Picture © Hervé Bonnaud / www.1clicphoto.com



This photo has been added to your cart !

Your shopping cart »
This website is using cookies for statistics, site optimization and retargeting purposes. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website. Read more here.