Text © World of Showjumping

France's own Julien Epaillard and his 10-year-old home-bred Donatello D'Auge (Jarnac x Hello Pierville) won Sunday's CSI4* 1.55m Grand Prix de la Ville de Bourg en Bresse on home soil at Jumping International Bourg-en-Bresse 2023.

"Donatello had a nice holiday after Omaha," Epaillard told World of Showjumping after his victory. "He did only one small show, a two-star in Deauville, and even though he was clear in the Grand Prix there, I did not do the jump-off. Here, he came back good after his holiday and from now he has a program on sand only; I have finally decided not to jump him on grass, so he will go next to St. Tropez, Paris and Monaco." 

With a time of 34.28 in the second round, the world no. two took the win ahead of his compatriot Alexandra Francart (FRA) and Betty du Prieure (Doremi x Chellano Z) who finished as runners-up in 35.74. Only the top three from the field of 50 horse-and-rider-combinations delivered a double clear over the two rounds, with Benoit Cernin (FRA) and Dynamite du Miral (Nabab de Reve x Alligator Fontaine) placing third in 37.74 – making it an all-French podium. Niklaus Rutschi (SUI) and Cardano CH (Chameur x Apartigene v. Schlösslihof) finished fourth with a single time penalty from the second round, and Victor Bettensorf (LUX) fifth with four faults from round one aboard Simolo de La Roque Z (Spartacus TN x Casall).