One of the most beautiful shows in the world, the CSI5* Saut Hermès in Paris kicked off on Friday in the breathtaking Grand Palais – right in the heart of the French capital. The enthuastic home crowd were in for a treat, as the French riders showed great form.

The main class of the day, the Prix Hermès Sellier – a 1.50m Table A competition against the clock – went to Patrice Delaveau on the 16-year-old stallion Carinjo HDC (Cascavelle x Landgraf I). The pair took home the first prize of 8 250 Euro with their time of 56,54 seconds. 

Roger Yves Bost on the 14-year-old stallion Pegase de Murier (Adelfos x Le tot de Semilly) took the second place with a time of 57,19 seconds, while Pius Schwizer (SUI) on the 11-year-old gelding Leonard de la Ferme CH (Landjuweel x Indigene de Corday) placed third with his time of 58,80 seconds. Jérôme Guery (BEL) on the 15-year-old stallion Papillon Z took the fourth place, while the fifth place went to Philippe Rozier (FRA) on the 12-year-old gelding Reveur de Kergane (Hornet Rose x Elan de la Cour). 

“I went as fast as I could without making Carinjo lose grip of the footing," said the winner Delaveau afterwards. "He is 16-years-old, and so I want to target the right classes. He is really at ease in this arena and this type of class. I’m really happy. It’s always great to win, but winning here means that little bit more. You can hear it in the crowd. You can hear the spec-tators rooting for you even more here!” 

Earlier in the morning the first five-star class of the event, the Prix du Grand Palais, a 1.45m class in two phases went to Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) on the 8-year-old mare Carlotta 232 (Chaccomo x Cento) with a time of 28,35 seconds in the second phase. Louise Saywell (GBR) on the 14-year-old stallion Peiter v. (Acorado I x Landor) followed with a time of 29,77 seconds, while third place went to Max Kühner (AUT) on the 10-year-old stallion Chardonnay 79 (Clarimo x Corrado I) with a time of 32,51 seconds. 

Famous for their annual U25 classes, the Grand Palais is hosting the Les Talents Hermès competition this year as well. The first class for the young talents, a 1.40m in two phases, went to Jessie Drea (GBR) on the 12-year-old stallion Mullaghdrin Touch The Stars (Touchdown x Irco Mena) with a time of 31,21 seconds in phase two. Laetitia du Couedic (SUI) on the 14-year-old mare Cheyenne 111 Z (Chatman x Calimero) placed second with a time of 31,24 seconds, while third place went to Emma Tallberg (FIN) on the 9-year-old mare Arven (Aragorn W x Epilot) with a time of 32,07 seconds.

Text © World of Showjumping by Nanna Nieminen // Source quote: Press release from Saut Hermès // Picture © Frédéric Chehu