Edited press release from Hubside Jumping

Holly Smith keeps widening the gap at Hubside Jumping Grimaud as hers odds increase before Sunday's Grand Prix. Under the sun and in the Mediterranean heat, the British rider and the 13-year-old gelding Denver (Albfuehren's Memphis x Chico's Boy) left their competitors no chance in Friday's CSI5* 1.55m – taking their second victory of the week.

After having won Thursday's CSI5* 1.50m, Smith and Denver once again had the final word in Friday's feature class and the team bronze medallist from the 2019 European Championships gave her opponents a hard time. With 41 riders in the class, including world number one Daniel Deusser, Swedish Olympic team champion Peder Fredricson, USA's Laura Kraut, France’s Kevin Staut, Simon Delestre, Nicolas Delmotte and Julien Epaillard as well as the Irish delegation of Billy Towmey, Mark McAuley and Denis Lynch, it was clear that the battle was going to be tough. 

Sixteen made it through to the jump-off. The British rider, fourth to start in this second act, really threw down the gauntlet and put a lot of pressure on her opponents when crossing the finish line in 38.36 seconds – forcing them to take every risk. “What a horse!” she said as she left the arena. "Honestly I don't have any other words, Denver is incredible. He performs well in any type of class, Grand Prix, Nations Cup and speed, he's a real star. I couldn't have hoped for a better start to the competition. I was luckier than in the previous class because I was able to watch the other riders in the first round and also in the jump-off. This allowed me to see how I could gain time and once I was in the ring I just went for it. He really has scope, covers the ground and is really determined in these moments. I’m also delighted for his owners, whom I would like to thank and without whom I wouldn’t have the opportunity to ride such a horse.” 

The Colombian rider Carlos Enrique Lopez Lizarazo also gave it everything on G & C Arrayan (Baloubet du Rouet x Grannus) and was not far behind, just a few tenths of a second in 38.57. Also pulling out all the stops, Frenchman Julien Epaillard, often considered as being unbeatable when it comes to speed, finished third with his winning ride from yesterday, Usual Suspect d'Auge (Jarnac x Papillon Rouge) in 38.83.

Italy's Emanuele Gaudiano, known to be a formidable opponent when it comes to going fast, won the 1.50m CSI5* speed class. It was with his faithful Carlotta 232 (Chaccomo x Cento), with whom he recently won in Valencia, Monaco and Valkenswaard, that he gave himself this new success, stopping the clock at 59.07. "Carlotta is extremely fast and she jumped really well again today. She’s consistent and proved to me yet again that I can always count on her. I’m absolutely delighted with this new victory here at Grimaud," said the winner. Holly Smith was unable to keep up with the frantic pace set by the Italian rider, and settled for second place in 62.72 with Fruselli (Zambesi x Karandasj). France’s Kevin Staut was third with Athos des Genets (Ok du Rozel x Iris de Celland) after stopping the clock at 63.28.