Text © World of Showjumping

“As with any jump-off, you can’t hold back,” France’s Guillaume Batillat said in a press release from Chantilly Classic after winning Saturday’s CSI4* 1.45m Grand Prix de la Laiterie de Montaigu on home soil with Qapella di Lino (Toulon x Kannan). “Even more so with 22 in the mix; if you don’t take every risk, you don’t stand a chance. After three days here, you start to get your bearings on this big grass arena, and you find the ideal line for a jump-off. Qapella di Lini was perfect, there’s nothing more to say. She’s only 9-year-old, but she was incredible; she really gave it everything. Today she wins this 1.45m class, but she’s a mare with a big potential. She’s already jumped clear rounds in four-star Grands Prix. It’s great for the horses to learn on these big grass tracks… and good for us, too. I like the grass.”

Caroline Mawhinney (USA) and Carsey Z (Carthino Z x Guidam) took the runner-up spot, followed by Nicolas Sers (FRA) and Eleven de Riverland (Kannan x Diamant de Semilly) in third, Robin Lequeren (FRA) on Galax du Rouet (Lauterbach x Quaprice Boimargot Quincy) in fourth and Scott Brash (GBR) aboard Hello Mango (Untouchable 27 x Numero Uno) in fifth.