Belgium's Wilm Vermeir and Gentiane de la Pomme (Schindler de Muze x Diamant de Semilly) continued their top form when winning the opening five-star Alvalle Prize in Dinard on Thursday.
The 1.45m speed class had 34 riders on the start list, and 17 pairs found the key to the course designed by Jean-François Morand. The fastest was Vermeir riding his 10-year-old mare to a time of of 34.41 seconds. The rider, who competes in Dinard for the second time, said he was delighted with the result: "Gentiane is my top horse, she is a real fighter, when she goes into the ring, she is determined to win. She won most of the trophies we have in the stables!"
French rider Louis Bouhana, riding Shamrock du Niro (Wonderboy x Vert Et Rouge), was in the lead most of the class after a clear round in 34.80 seconds, but in the end finished behind Vermeir. Bouhana paid tribute to his horse, who belongs to Mr. and Mrs. Dulion from La Baule: "Shamrock is fantastic, he signs a lot of clear rounds, I have been riding him for three years. He has a great mind, he is very generous."
Bouhana's compatriot Nicolas Delmotte was very happy with his third place on Darmani Van't Heike (Grandeur x Voltaire) in a time of 35.37, stating that the site of the competition in Dinard is "the most beautiful in Europe".
Source: Press release from Jumping Dinard // Picture © Pixels events