It was a back-to-back win for French rider Nicolas Deseuzes, who took his second consecutive Grand Prix victory on Sunday at the 2016 Spring MET. After another efficient jump-off with Quilane de Lezeaux at the Oliva Nova Beach and Golf Resort, the French rider made the most out of his stay to take home the victory in both CSI2* Grand Prix classes as the first part of the 2016 Spring MET concluded after two weeks of competition. The 2016 Spring MET now takes a short break, and resumes on the 9th of February for the second part of the tour.

The first round 1.45 Grand Prix track presented by SHA Wellness Clinic counted fourteen clear rounds after 53 riders had entered the big grass ring in Oliva Nova. The thirteen-fence track built by Italian course designer Elio Travagliati was fair with faults spreading out and included a triple combination at fence six as well as a double towards the end of the track at fence twelve.

The jump-off track was cut down to eight fences and nine jumps including fence a and b of the former triple combination, and had several stretches open for galloping. The last line was a long one – but today the final fence was a wide oxer, which proved easier to attack from a long stride than last week’s vertical.

Italy’s Alberto Zorzi was once again first to go in the jump-off riding the 10-year-old Ramiro Cruise, but today the stable jockey from Stal Tops had a fence down at the a-element in the combination. The four next riders to come all saw both one and two fences fall around the shortened track. It was not until Ireland’s Gavin Harley entered the ring as number six, that the first double clear was produced at 48.43 seconds.

After Harley, Michel Hecart (FRA) had one fence down with Toupie de la Roque and Holger Wenz (GER) had two down with Smart Forever before Chloe Aston (GBR) took over the lead with a well-ridden round aboard Kolibri Classic in 48.02 seconds. It was more girl-power to come as Alisa Danilova (UKR) was clear after a safe round with Dinero de Laubry in 55.28 seconds before Janne Friederike Meyer (GER) produced a fast clear round with Chloe to slot in ahead of Aston at 47.74.

Nicolas Deseuzes was last to go with his partner for the last three years, the 12-year-old Grenat de Grez-daughter Quilane de Lezeaux. The extremely fast duo crossed the finish line 0.39 seconds ahead of Meyer at 47.35 and secured another win to continue an amazing start to the 2016 season. Described by Deseuzes as very quick and careful, the French rider again trusted his mare and took all the risk needed to secure the win.

After getting the absolute most out of the 2016 Spring MET I, the 41-year-old rider now has his eyes set on Wellington and the Winter Equestrian Festival and also hopes for some Nations Cup appearances on the French team. It was mission accomplished for Deseuzes, who after his win commented that he came to Oliva to give his horses more milage and experience to be ready for bigger things this season. 

Janne Friederike Meyer was also very happy with her mare after her second place, as it was Chloe’s first Grand Prix. The nine-year-old mare was entered for last weekend’s Grand Prix as well, but was retired after the first fence as she lost a shoe. “Chloe has done very well as a youngster and was second in the youngster tour in Aachen last year. The plan for her is to step up in the bigger classes this season,” Meyer commented after.

This is the third time Meyer has been competing in Oliva; “We have had a very nice time here in Oliva with perfect weather, super conditions and a good atmosphere. I have brought some of the younger and newer horses for the first part of the tour as this is a perfect setting to get to know them better. I will now do a few shows in Germany before I return to Oliva with some of my more experienced horses to prepare them for the outdoor season,“ said one of Germany’s most popular riders as the MET I came to a close. 

Top Five CSI2* 1.45 Grand Prix SHA Wellness Clinic
 
1. Nicolas Deseuzes (FRA) / Quilane de Lezeaux 0-0 47.35
2. Janne Friederike Meyer (GER) / Chloe 0-0 47.74
3. Chloe Aston (GBR) / Kolibri Classic 0-0 48.02
4. Gavin Harley (IRL) / Understone van de Kapel 0-0 48.43
5. Alice Trehoust (FRA) / Quiria d'Orion 0-0 49.02

Source: Press release from 2016 Spring Mediterranean Equestrian Tour // Picture © Hervé Bonnaud, www.1clicphoto.com.