Press release from Jumping La Baule 2019

Simone Blum (GER) and DSP Alice (Askari x Landrebell) clinched the victory in the CSIO5* Grand Prix Longines of the City of La Baule, ahead of Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Albfuehren’s Bianca (Balou du Rouet x Cardento). Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Important de Muze (Erco van 't Roosakker x Nabab de Reve) finished third, while the best French was Olivier Robert on Vangog du Mas Grenier (Cornet Obolensky x Quidam de Revel) that placed 6th. 

Only eight pairs out of the forty-five on the start list of the Grand Prix Longines of the City of La Baule, managed to clear the course designed by Frédéric Cottier within the time allowed: Eduardo Menezes (BRA) on H5 Quintol (Quintender 2 x Cento), Olivier Robert (FRA) on Vangog du Mas Grenier, Doron Kuipers (NED) on Charley (Calido I x Askari), Amy Inglis (GBR) on Wishes (Guidam x Wellington), Grégory Wathelet (BEL) on Iron Man Van de Padernborre (Darco x Chin Chin), Steve Guerdat (SUI) on Albfuehren’s Bianca, Simone Blum (GER) on DSP Alice and Darragh Kenny (IRL) on Important de Muze.

With two rails down, Eduardo Menezes and H5 Quintol had to give up with their dream of victory. Olivier Robert and Vangog du Mas Grenier had one rail down, just like Doron Kuipers and Charley, as well as Gregory Wathelet and Iron Man Van de Padenborre. For them, the dream of writing their name on the record of the Grand Prix Longines of the City of La Baule was over.

Amy Inglis was the first to sign a double clear round with Wishes in 48,84 seconds. But world n°1 Steve Guerdat and his faithful Albfuehren’s Bianca managed to clear the jump-off as well – and be faster in 43,82 seconds. Darragh Kenny with Important de Muze and Simone Blum with DSP Alice were the last two to go. Kenny slotted in behind Guerdat in 43,90 seconds, while Blum – reigning world champion – cleared the course as well in a faster time of 43,33 seconds.

"I am very proud to be here, it is the first time I experience the CSIO5* as a competitor and it is an exceptional experience," Blum said afterwards. "It is like the French Aachen! Of Course, for this season, it is the first show on grass with a very enthusiastic public. The first round was just perfect, and I thought Steve would win in the jump-off but in the end Alice was the best today."

Runner-up Steve Guerdat commented: "First I would like to say that I was happy to be here with my three horses, it is fantastic to be in La Baule. It is a wonderful show with a great public, my only regret is that this show does not last long enough in the end. We have great pleasure to be here, and this is the type of shows we would like to have every weekend. Thank you to the organisers, to those we support them, but what I am the most delighted about is that my mare does a double clear round in the Grand Prix."