The 2023-edition of the iconic Saut Hermès – which due to renovations in the Grand Palais, is held in the Grand Palais Éphémère for the second year in a row – kicked off in Paris on Friday with a double win for the hosts. Julien Anquetin and Blood Diamond du Pont (Diamant de Semilly x Arpege Pierville) took the victory in the CSI5* 1.50m Prix Hermès Sellier ahead of compatriot Julien Epaillard and Dubai du Cedre (Baloubet du Rouet x Diamant de Semilly) with a smallest of margins, when the clock stopped on 63.22 for Anquetin – only 0.01 ahead of Epaillard.
"He is a very fast horse and has won a lot of classes this year," Anquetin told World of Showjumping about the 12-year-old Blood Diamond du Pont. "My plan is to jump him in the Grand Prix on Sunday. He is very careful, and intelligent – and he wants to win every time."
Speaking of his round, Anquetin said: "The difference today was so small, like nothing. I was not thinking about anyone else during my round, I only did what I knew was best for my horse – and I honestly don't know where I made the difference! Epaillard is very fast, so it is a good thing to beat him."
Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) and Chalou (Chacco-Blue x Baloubet du Rouet) placed third in 63.32, while Olivier Perreau (FRA) and GL Events Venizia d'Aiguilly (Diamant de Semilly x Quick Star) finished fourth in 64.27 and Jerome Guery (BEL) fifth in 64.91 aboard Cristel (Diamant de Semilly x Dobel's Cento).
The CSI5* 1.45m Prix du Grand Palais went to Victor Bettendorf (LUX) and Big Star Des Forets (Untouchable M x Voltaire Pref). With a time of 27.08 in the second phase, Bettendorf took the win ahead of Olivier Perreau (FRA) and GL Events Dolce Deceuninck (Toulon x Cartier van de Heffinck) in the runner-up position in 27.34.
"This is the first indoor show I do with her, I have only had her since January and I competed for three weeks in Vilamoura," Bettendorf told about his 12-year-old mare to World of Showjumping after his victory. "I am very happy that she was so competitive today. She is from a very good mother-line, so we bought her not only with the sport in mind but also the breeding career after. I hope she will be a good horse behind Mr. Tac and Simolo. I did this show ten years ago as an U25 rider and it has always been my dream to come back here and compete with the seniors, so I am really happy to be here now."
Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) and Prinz 1293 (Perigueux x Escudo) placed third in 27.36, while Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) and Heureuse Nouvelle WH (Cardento 933 x Indoctro) finished fourth in 27.38 and Pieter Devos (BEL) fifth in 28.06 aboard Irona van de Viking Z (Iron Man Van De Padenborre x Catango Z).