Harry Charles (GBR) and the 12-year-old mare Stardust (Chacco-Blue x Con Air 7) won Thursday's biggest class at Hubside Jumping in Grimaud, France – a CSI5* 1.50m against the clock counting for the world ranking.

Charles bested a field of 39 riders – several with two horses each – with his time of 63.23 seconds, leaving Edward Levy (FRA) and Rebeca LS (HH Rebozo x Cassini I) behind him in second place only 0.17 behind. Third place went to Guy Williams (GBR) on Rouge de Ravel (Ultimo Van Ter Moude x Quouglof Rouge), who stopped the clock at 64.63 seconds. Julien Anquetin (FRA) on Z Ice Cube Z (Zacharov TN x Casco) finished fourth, and Thibault Philippaerts (BEL) on Aqaba de Leau (Arko III x Burggraaf) fifth. 

“I must first of all thank my mare, that is extremely naturally fast,” Charles said in a press release from Hubside Jumping. “I just had to keep her well with me, well concentrated but it is always a pleasure to jump her in this type of class. This weekend, I think I will ride Aralyn Blue in the Grand Prix. It will be her first Grand Prix, but she jumped very well today. Stardust will be in the 1.50m class on Saturday and I hope we will have the same success!"

The CSI5* 1.45m against the clock counting for the world ranking had a French duo on top. Marie Hecart (FRA) won with the 13-year-old mare Vahinee (Lauterbach x Darco) with a time of 66.07, followed by Sebastien Duplant (FRA) on Alpha de Preuilly (Pacha de Preuilly x Cento) in 66.30. Third place went to Jérôme Guery (BEL) on Great Britain V (Nabab de Reve x Carolus II), while Henrik von Eckermann took fourth with Iliana (Cardento 933 x Gentleman) and Edward Levy fifth with Sirius Black (Calisco du Pitray x Laudanum).