Jumping International de Valence kicked off on Thursday, and the opening CSI4* class – a 1.45m against the clock – offered a breathtaking show for the crowd. Its winner, Harold Boisset, riding T'obetty du Domaine (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Diams du Grasset), quickly took the provisional first place right at the beginning of the class with a stunning clear round and didn't let anyone steal his spot. The French rider impressed everyone with a record time of 62.54 seconds. 

"I am delighted, my horse jumped extremely well. She's usually a fast mare, but I felt that she was jumping good, so I speed her up. In order to manage a time like this, I got a bit of luck too!" said Boisset.

On the second step of the podium, was Roger-Yves Bost. Known for being one of the fastest on the international circuit, the Olympic Champion from Rio didn't manage to catch up with his competitor, finishing in 64.25 seconds riding Castleforbes Talitha (Cardenio x Baloubet du Rouet). Third place went to Austria's Max Kühner and Electric Touch (Untouchable Z x T'is Voltaire) with a round in a time of 64.46 seconds.