Edited press release from Hubside Jumping

Simon Delestre (FRA) made it a home win in Thursday’s biggest class at the Hubside Jumping Spring Tour in Grimaud, France – a CSI5* 1.50m against the clock counting for the Longines Ranking. Together with Chesall Zimequest (Casall x Concerto II), Delestre crossed the finish line in 59.97 seconds – 0.46 seconds faster than runner-up Niels Bruynseels (BEL) with Libelle vd Heffinck (Cooper vd Heffinck x Diamant de Semilly). Third place went to Nicolas Delmotte (FRA) with Urvoso du Roch (Nervoso x Grand d’Escla) ahead of Eric Lamaze (CAN) with Chacco Kid (Chacco-Blue x Come On) and Jeanne Sadran (FRA) with Unforgettable Damvil (San Patrignano Corrado x Papillon Rouge). 

“Already in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, ten days ago, Chesall jumped magnificent: He ended second in the first class, and finished the Audi Prize with four faults while progressing in a super way. I found that he was perfectly relaxed, Chesall did great!” Delestre said after his win. “Already last year, Hubside Jumping suited Chesall really well: We had a good season, restarting quietly and gradually increasing the level. He is in a great state of mind now and it’s nice to see him like this!”

Earlier in the day, Scott Brash (GBR) and Hello Mr President (Comme d’Api v/d Hacienda Z x breeding unknown) won the CSI5* 1.45m two-phase class counting for the Longines Ranking. Second place went to Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) with Golia (Bustique x Doriano) and third place to Mathieu Billot (FRA) with Ilena S (Verdi x Calido I). 

“I’m obviously very happy with this victory,” Brash said. “Mr President has not jumped a big class for a long time, because of all the Covid-cancellations. I think that his last big class, he jumped here during the Hubside Fall Tour, so it is great to be back on top and to see that he has not lost any of his top form. The course was very pleasant, like Grégory Bodo’s courses in general: It was a good introduction for the horses in this CSI5*, especially since the winter was long and there was a lack of top-level competitions. After the Hubside Fall Tour I had hoped to compete in Geneva and other shows, but all were cancelled one after the other.”

"With the Olympic Games in the back of my mind, I will now have to work on a program for Tokyo. I will prepare several horses for the Games, since several are eligible for selection. Hubside Jumping will be part of this preparation program, the large sand arena and the heat of the south of France can put us in condition for what awaits us in Japan. It will be important for me to see how each of my horses behaves here,” Brash said.