Edited press release from Hubside Jumping

Julien Epaillard (FRA) was not to beat in Friday's two biggest classes at the Hubside Spring Tour in Grimaud, France. With Kosmo Van Hof Ter Boone (Arko x Pachat II) and Solero MS (Silvio I x Espri), Epaillard jumped to victory in the CSI4* 1.50m with a jump-off as well as in the CSI4* 1.45 against the clock, both counting for the world ranking. 

In the 1.50m class, twelve horse-and-rider combinations qualified for the jump-off, where Epaillard was the fastest aboard Kosmo Van Hof Ter Boone with a time of 40.56 seconds – leaving his student Nina Mallevaey (FRA) with Virtuose Champeix (Rubins des Bruyeres x Avec Espoir) to the runner-up position in 43.10 seconds. 

“I didn’t really see Nina’s jump-off because I entered the ring just after her, but I know she’s capable of going fast,” Epaillard said. “So, I had to try everything to beat her, especially since Kevin Staut was still to go after me. A friend told me that it was possible to pass in front of the tree before the last jump, so I did that, but I think I especially saved time turning very short in front of the oxer at number nine and just after it going to the double.” 

“I’m very satisfied with Kosmo, who is starting to jump the bigger classes now after his victory in CSI2* Oliva last winter," Epaillard said of the 11-year-old gelding. "Due to his lack of experience, he made several faults in his first CSI5* in ‘s-Hertogenbosch last week. Nevertheless, I think that show was very useful for the future. Today he seemed perfectly at ease in this class. He will now do the 4* Grand Prix on Sunday and then I hope he will find his consistency at 5* level.”

Third place went to Simon Delestre (FRA) with Berlux Z (Berlin x Major de La Cour), followed by Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) with Obora’s Chloe (Chacco-Blue x Lacapo) and Gregory Cottard (FRA) with Bibici (Norman Pre Noir x Nelfo du Mesnil). 

Later in the day, Epaillard followed up with another victory in the CSI4* 1.45 with Solero MS. Epaillard and the 15-year-old gelding were 1.34 seconds faster than runners-up Simon Delestre (FRA) and Qopilot Batilly Z (Qlassic Bois Margot x Cabdula du Tillard). Marlon Modolo Zanotelli finished third with Golia (Bustique x Doriano).