Text © World of Showjumping

The 2022-edition of the Saut Hermès at the Grand Palais Éphémère in the heart of Paris kicked off on Friday, and it was Switzerland's Martin Fuchs on The Sinner (Sanvaro x Landgold 3) that took home the biggest win of the day in the CSI5* 1.50m Prix Hermès Sellier. 

Fuchs was the fastest in the field of 53 horse-and-rider combinations when stopping the clock at 56.94 seconds, leaving Sanne Thijssen (NED) on Con Quidam RB (Quinar Z x Cardino 5) to runner-up position with her time of 57.83 seconds. Home hero Simon Delestre (FRA) on Hermès Ryan (Hugo Gesmeray x Ryon d'Anzex) placed third in 58.24 seconds, while Jur Vrieling (NED) on Fiumicino van de Kalevallei (Plot Blue x Nabab de Reve) finished fourth, and Marcus Ehning (GER) on Funky Fred (For Pleasure x Pilot) fifth. 

"I think I was the only one who left a stride out everywhere," Fuchs explained to World of Showjumping after his victory. "There were a lot of options, and to take all of them worked out very well for me. The Sinner was really with me today, and really fighting for me. He has been very good for me; he is competitive, and it is nice to have a horse like him. When I go with him to a show, I know I will come home with a ribbon. I am happy that there was another win for him today." 

"It is a very nice show here in Paris, I have been here already a few times in the past," Fuchs said about the beautiful venue in the French capital. "It is a very special city and a special show, the atmosphere is really unique." 

Earlier in the day, the CSI5* 1.45m Prix du Grand Palais went to Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) on Carlotta 232 (Chaccomo x Cento). Bryan Balsiger (SUI) on Urbanus Z (Ugano Sitte x Voltaire) placed second, while Roger Yves Bost (FRA) on Bluemuch Des Baleines (Chacco-Blue x Clinton) finished third. Mathieu Billot (FRA) on H (C-Indoctro x Emilion) placed fourth and Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli (SWE) on Danna RJ (Quiz Time x Candidus) fifth. 

In the CSIU25 1.40m Les Talents Hermès, the top honours went to Sienna Charles (GBR) and Ornellaia (For Pleasure x Calato). Antoine Ermann (FRA) on Azur du Vinnebus (Robin du Vinnebus x Flipper d'Elle) took the runner-up spot, while Thibeau Spits (BEL) on Juragold Bormes (Contact van de Heffinck x Landino) placed third.