Text © World of Showjumping

Germany's Daniel Deusser and Killer Queen VDM (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x For Pleasure) took the top honours in Friday's CSI5* 1.55m Prix Audevard in Fontainebleau, France. 

Stopping the clock on 66.42 seconds in this class judged as a Table A against the clock – and counting for the Longines Ranking Group B – Deusser and the 14-year-old mare took the win ahead of their Stephex Stables teammate Kendra Claricia Brinkop (GER) and Do It Easy (Vigo Cece x Laeken) in second in 67.17. 

"Killer Queen VDM has not taken part in many competitions this season; we started competing together again on the Sunshine Tour, then followed that up with two weeks at Saint-Tropez Gassi. In fact, this is her first CSI5* event since returning, so I'm delighted that she did so well,” Deusser explained in a press release from Le Printemps Des Sports Équestres – referring to how Killer Queen jumped her last five-star in Brussels in August last year followed by a break that lasted until February. “She might even be a bit too fresh and feisty for a competition like this. I might let her rest tomorrow and we'll go out again on Sunday. I don't know yet... What I do know is that she will be competing on Sunday. There were a few options in terms of the strides on this course, which is always an advantage for me since she has a long stride. I can't say that I went into the class thinking we would win, but after the first three jumps, I realised that it was undoubtedly the day to give it a go." 

"Physically, and with her fighting spirit, Killer Queen is more than ready to jump on Sunday. That being said, we need to determine where we are together. Like I said, today was her big comeback at this level, and it would be great to put in a performance on Sunday, but I'll have to see how fresh she is. I haven't been to Fontainebleau for a few years now; the last time, the course was still on grass and I hope we'll soon be able to jump on the Grand Parquet again. But I have to say that I'm really impressed with how the site has been transformed for the Printemps des Sports Équestres! The two sand-covered arenas are fantastic; this afternoon, you couldn't have had a better atmosphere, with the sun and the spectators." 

Mark McAuley (IRL) and GRS Lady Amaro (Amaretto Darco x Over The River) completed the podium, placing third in 68.90, while the reigning European champions Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Dynamix de Belheme (Snaike de Blondel x Cornet Obolensky) finished fourth in 70.57 and the hosts own Gregory Cottard (FRA) and Bibici (Norman Pre Noir x Nelfo du Mesnil) fifth in 70.60. 

The second CSI5* class of the day, the 1.45m Prix Fiducial – counting for the Longines Ranking Group D – went to Joseph Stockdale (GBR) and Equine Rescue Services Kandleford (Kannan x Pythagoras) with a time of 59.61. Wilm Vermeir (BEL) and Eytuka of Two Notes Z (Emerald x Chin Chin) followed in second in 61.38, while Olivier Perreau (FRA) and Bresil de Carnaval Santa Rosa (Mylord Carthago x Rosire) placed third in 61.66, Janika Sprunger (SUI) and Kinmar Scarlett (Breeding unknown) fourth in 61.80 ahead of Zoe Conter (BEL) and Tombola Z (Toulon x Dominard) in fifth in 62.17.