In less than 24 hours, Patrice Delaveau delivered two major wins for France at Jumping Amsterdam – first in Saturday night’s Anemone Horse Trucks’ Prize and then in Sunday’s Anemone Horse Trucks Grand Prix of Amsterdam powered by Stoeterij Sterrehof.

The Grand Prix had a full house watching as 46 riders took on the challenging 1.60m course. “It is a tough course, but also fairly built. The time allowed is short, but acceptable. I think it is a nice course,” Dutch Chef d’Equipe Rob Ehrens said about the track after walking it. The course built by Louis Konickx had the time allowed set at 74 seconds, and even though many struggled to stay within it remained unaltered. In the end, nine out of 46 starters made it to the jump-off after producing clear rounds.

Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) on her Olympic-partner Cue Channa (Cardento x Robin Z) was the first out in the jump-off and went clear, setting the time to beat to 40,07 seconds. 

Ben Schröder (NED) on Davino Q (Vingino x Monaco) was next out, and the audience was holding their breath as the pair set off to chase the Swedish rider’s time. Schröder started steady and went for a nice clear round with a time of 42,29 seconds. 

The third rider out in the jump-off, Dermott Lennon (IRL), did an effective round on Loughview Lou-Lou (Limmerick x Jack of Diamonds) and took over the lead with a time of 38,85 seconds. It didn’t last long though, as Pieter Devos (BEL) on Dream of India Greenfield (Gem of India x Night and Day) came right after. The pair that has shown very consistent form lately, set off chasing the win. They made all the turns as tight as possible, keeping a steady pace throughout the course and set the new time to beat to 38,64 seconds. 

Next out was Ruben Romp (NED) on Audi’s Teavanta Ii C Z (Treasure x Ahorn), who did a cracking turn to fence number three –  but unfortunately had to see a pole fall there. Romp was followed by another young Dutch talent – Frank Schuttert (NED) on Chianti’s Champion (Champion Du Lys x Capitol I). The pair seemed on a lookout for a safe clear round, but had an unfortunate fence down on their way. Second last to go in the jump-off, Bertram Allen (IRL) on Hector van d’Adbijhoeve (Cabrio van de Heffinck x Utrillo van de Heffinck) was seriously going after the leading time – but his turn to fence number three proved to be too tight and a pole fell.

The leader, Pieter Devos, was watching carefully as the last rider entered the ring. Known as one of the fastest pairs on the circuit, no one is safe when it comes to Patrice Delaveau on the 13-year-old stallion Lacrimoso HDC (Landjunge x Cascavelle). The stallion made his international comeback in November last year after a longer break, and today was a reminder of just how good this pair can be. The two cruised around the shortened track, stopping the clock at 37,14 seconds taking home the win and 26,235 Euro – pushing Devos to second place and Lennon into third place.

Text © World of Showjumping // Picture © DigiShots