The Spring MET 2017 resumed this week, with its second part of the tour. Just like at previous editions, the French have been on fire in Oliva – and today’s CSI2* 1.45m Grand Prix presented by Stephex Group was no exception.

Fresh from their win in Friday’s Longines Ranking class, Guillaume Foutrier (FRA) and the 10-year-old mare Tchin de La Tour (Chin Chin x Narcos II) did it again – claiming the victory in this Grand Prix. Foutrier was not the only French rider on fabulous form: Harold Boisset – the winner of Thursday’s Longines Ranking class – finished second and Thierry Rozier third.

The first-round Grand Prix course designed by Stefan Wirth (GER) had 13 obstacles and 16 efforts in it. Out of 57 starters as many as 23 jumped clear, and made it to the jump-off. In the jump-off it turned out to be the combination that caused the most problems, as did the last fence that was the same as in the first round – a white, delicate plank.

As second to go against the clock, Harold Boisset (FRA) and the 10-year-old mare Quolita Z (Quasimodo Z x Ramiro) left all the poles up and set the time to beat at 35,39 seconds. Known as one of the fastest on the circuit, and with an impressive winning record from the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour, everybody knew beating this pair would take something exceptional.

Jamal Rahimov (AZE) on the 14-year-old stallion Warrior (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Heartbreaker) gave it a good go, but even with a proper gallop to the last fence their time of 37,06 would only be good enough for fourth place in the end – that was how fast the jump-off turned out.

A few riders later, Thierry Rozier (FRA) on the 12-year-old mare Venezia d’Ecaussinnes (Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Lys De Darmen) kept a high speed all the way through the course and cantered all out to the last fence. With a time of 36,48 seconds, Rozier slotted in behind his compatriot Boisset.

It was not until the 15th rider out in the jump-off that Boisset was over-taken: Guillaume Foutrier and Tchin de La Tour kept an unbelievable pace throughout the course and took over the lead with a time of 34,57 seconds making the trio on top all-French.

None of those to come could do anything about the top three flying the Tricolour, and Guillaume Foutrier could close the weekend with another win worth 7,500 Euro and valuable ranking points.

“I'm very happy to have won today,” said Foutrier. “The jump-off was tough as lot of fast riders made a first clear round. The first day of the competition, Tchin finished 2nd but she won the ranking class the second day. Tchin’s development is just amazing, with an impressive regularity.”

Foutrier is a returning visitor at the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour. “We have been coming to Oliva for the last few years, it's a great place with beautiful surroundings and quality surfaces,” the winner closed off.

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