Edited press release from Jumping International de Dinard
The CSI5* 1.60m Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard concluded four days of competition at Jumping International de Dinard, and just like last year it was world no. one Martin Fuchs that came out on top.
A total of 42 horse-and-rider combinations took to the track designed by Jean-François Morand, and only five managed to complete the course without penalties. The first, to the cheers of the Dinard public, was the winner of Friday's feature class, Julien Epaillard (FRA) and his Gracieux du Pachis (Tinka's Boy x Caretino). Bertram Allen (IRL) and Pacino Amiro (Pacino x NC Amiro) also got their ticket to the jump-off, as did Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) and Moya vd Bisschop (Darco x Utrillo vd Heffinck) a few numbers later. Juliette Faligot (FRA) also completed a superb course with her sparkling grey Arqana de Riverland (Cornet Obolensky x Diamant de Semilly), joining the jump-off. Finally, world number one Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Leone Jei (Baltic VDL x Corland) made it a total of five for the jump-off.
First to start this final against the clock, Julien Epaillard took a great option and signed a new clear round with a time of 41.46. Bertram Allen and Nicola Philippaerts finished at four and eight faults respectively, while Juliette Faligot, trying to calmly complete a clear round, left the ring on four penalties. As last to go, Fuchs piloted his impressive grey Leone Jei to a time of 40.94 seconds – snatching the win from Julien Epaillard and taking the victory in the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard for the second consecutive time.
"Going into the jump-off, I told myself I was in Dinard and I was going to play the game there, without thinking too much about the world championships," Fuchs said. "I love grass rings and Dinard is one of my five favourite competitions, the crowd is really great. Competing in a grass ring allows you to put yourself in a difficult situation, because the horse has to do gymnastic work, with the climbs and descents. I really like these rings and I have chosen to compete a lot on grass this season, it is great for improving riders and horses."
"Starting as number one in the jump-off is never easy, because you don't have any information about the options," Epaillard said. "I was in front of Martin (Fuchs) in the middle of the course, but I lost time after the wall and at the end. I wanted to put pressure on the competitors. Today, the best rider won, quite simply. It was a good match. I rode Dinard for the first time when I was 18 and I still enjoy coming here."