Jeanne Sadran won the LGCT Grand Prix of Paris ahead of Kent Farrington in second and Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen in third. Photo © LGCT.
Edited press release from Longines Global Champions Tour
Dreams came true in the heart of Paris on Saturday as the 22-year-old Jeanne Sadran (FRA) clinched her first ever CSI5* Grand Prix victory at the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Paris presented by Ville de Paris with Dexter de Kerglenn (Mylord Carthago HN x Diamant de Semilly).
In the first round, 35 starters faced a technical 1.60m course designed by Gregory Bodo (FRA), with the tight time allowed adding extra pressure. Twelve combinations had just a single rail down with the last line claiming the most victims. Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen (NOR) punched the air as he crossed the line as the first clear round, but then the rails kept falling until it looked as if Scott Brash (GBR) was going to make it a jump-off with Hello Valentino (Diamantino x Careful), but an extra stride to the last line cost him 0.06 seconds over the time allowed to finish on a single penalty.
Three more riders managed to deliver clear rounds and joined Gulliksen in the jump-off; Spencer Smith (USA), Kent Farrington (USA) and Jeanne Sadran (FRA).
Kent Farrington and Myla had to settle for second place. Photo © LGCT.
Last to go in the jump-off, finishing as the only double clear, Sadran took the win ahead of Kent Farrington and Myla (Crunch x Quadros) in second. Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen and Equine America Harwich VDL (Arezzo VDL x Darco) collected their first ever LGCT podium to finish in third, while Spencer placed fourth and Brash fifth.
Speaking with GCTV, Jeanne was lost for words. “I cannot believe it, it’s just incredible, just look at my home crowd," she said. "It’s so special for my first 5* win, here, in Paris at the Longines Global Champions Tour. I couldn’t imagine a better result. When I first started with Global Champions it was really hard, I was so young, but now I've learned so much… and I can win in Paris, in my home country.”
Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen and Equine America Harwich VDL finished third. Photo © LGCT.
The 28-year-old Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen couldn’t hide the emotion from his face: “I’m just so, so happy. This for me is just a dream, because I've been watching on TV for many, many years. I’m so lucky to be a part of the Scandinavian Vikings and get the opportunity to do these classes."
Kent Farrington, a seasoned veteran and one of the sport's most respected figures, graciously congratulated Sadran on her remarkable achievement: “To see the next generation of riders coming through, a great French win at home, so that was really exciting for the crowd and I am really happy for Jeanne too.”
Then