The victory in Friday’s CSI4* 1.50m Prix Mâconnaise des Eaux by Véolia at Jumping International Mâcon Chaintré in France went to the host nation's own Benoit Cernin and Dynamite du Miral (Nabab de Reve x Alligator Fontaine).
Twelve out of the fifty-four pairs at start in the second Grand Prix qualifier of the weekend cleared the first-round track and joined the deciding jump-off, where the French duo posted the winning time of 43.08 seconds. Only fractions behind in 43.33, Switzerland's Pius Schwizer and Opalocka du Roton (Thunder Vd Zuuthoeve x Levisto) took the runner-up spot, followed by Brazil's Pedro Junqueira Muylaert and Captain Ciwano (Cordynox x La Calido) in third in 46.87. Spain's Sira Martinez Cullell on Pipper des Vergers Z (Peppermill x Totoche Du Banney) finished fourth in 47.65, while her compatriot Otti Verdu Vidal aboard Baccarat Fontaine (Mylord Carthago x Quartz Du Vallon) placed fifth in 48.21.
"I honestly thought our time wouldn't be enough to win today,” Cernin said in a press release from Jumping International Mâcon Chaintré. “Dynamite is so intense in jump-offs that I sometimes struggle to keep her on the inside of the curves, and I feel like I'm losing time. I'm really happy that it was finally enough! My horses are in great form at the moment and are racking up wins with great ease. I'm truly delighted!"