For a second consecutive year, Simon Delestre (FRA) and Hermès Ryan (Hugo Gesmeray x Ryon d´Anzex) took home the win in the CSI5* Grand Prix Hermès in the heart of Paris.

The breath-taking Grand Palais was filled to the brim, and as usual the Parisian crowds created a fantastic atmosphere. Fifteen of the 44 horse-and-rider combinations solved all the questions asked over the first-round 1.60m track, and with one top name following the other the spectators were in for a real treat. 

The first clear in the jump-off came from the second pair out – Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP) on Seringat (Chef Rouge x Guillaume Tell), who recorded the time of 36.15 seconds. As next to go, 2017-winners Edwina Tops-Alexander and California (L´Esprit x Libero H) gave it a good shot but slotted in behind in 37.12 seconds. 

Christian Ahlmann’s Dominator 2000 Z (Diamant de Semilly x Cassini I) lived up to his name, and fresh from a spectacular performance in last week’s Audi Prize at The Dutch Masters the 9-year-old stallion yet again delivered with a jaw-dropping round that saw the clock stop at 34.86 seconds – enough to take the lead. 

Two riders later, it was time for Simon Delestre and his tiny chestnut gelding – that by now has reached the age of 14. While Hermès Ryan might be small, he has a mighty mind. Giving his everything for Delestre, while being cheered on by the home crowds, this remarkable little horse yet again astonished when flying over the shortened course and shaving off 0.18 seconds on the leading time. 

None of the remaining riders managed to catch up with Delestre, the only other pair to deliver a clear was world no. one Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Alamo (Ukato x Equador) who went into fourth ahead of Tops-Alexander in fifth – leaving Delestre to celebrate another Grand Prix victory in the Grand Palais.