As first to go in the jump-off, Abdel Said (EGY) and Arpege du Ru (Apache d’Adriers x Quat’Sous) won Saturday’s CSI4* 1.45m world ranking class at Hubside Jumping in Grimaud, France. Against the clock, Said crossed the finish line in 37.74 seconds – the fastest time of the 14 in the jump-off. 

Nicolas Delmotte (FRA) took the runner-up position in 38.19 seconds, riding Urvoso du Roch (Nervoso x Grand d’Escla). Delmotte was followed by Jur Vrieling (NED) with Fiumicino van de Kalevallei (Plot Blue x Nabab de Reve) in 38.24 seconds. Fourth place went to Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) with Icarus (Douglas x Sioux de Baugy) and fifth place to Carlos Enrique Lopez Lizarazo (COL) with G&C Arrayan (Baloubet du Rouet x Grannus). 

“Arpege du Ru is a naturally fast mare, which makes life at shows easier,” Said said. “I had a plan for this jump-off, which was to give everything. Sometimes you come to a jump-off and say, ‘I'm going to save the horse’. But in this case, it was the biggest that Arpège would jump this weekend and therefore we had to give everything. Sometimes it works, sometimes not and today it worked out perfectly. I really love this mare; she's very smart and loves to win. I've been riding her for two years, and together we've already had some really good results. This year, it has been difficult for us to get in to shows – as for everyone else. I was lucky to be able to come to this fantastic event this weekend, so it was important to deliver great performances. So far, I must admit that it is going very well."