Edited press release from Longines Equita Masters

The top 30 horse-and-rider combinations from Friday night's feature class were qualified to compete in the prestigious CSI5*-W 1.60m Equita Masters presented by Hermès Sellier on Saturday evening at the 2024-edition of Longines Equita Masters.

After two exciting rounds, the British 2021 Olympic champion and Hermès partner rider Ben Maher took the first place with Point Break (Action-Breaker x Balou du Rouet), producing the only double clear round of the evening and finishing ahead of Victor Bettendorf (LUX) on Cancun Torel Z (Cosinhus x Grannus). Defending champion Steve Guerdat (SUI) placed third with Albführen's Iashin Sitte (Bamako de Muze x Tinka's Boy), followed by Kevin Staut (FRA) and Vida Loca Z (Vigo d'Arsouilles x Cornet Obolensky) in fourth and Yuri Mansur (BRA) on Vitiki (Valentino x For Expo) in fifth. 

"It's an incredible feeling to be back here in Lyon, which I think is one of the best indoor competitions in the world," Maher said. "The crowd really get behind all the riders with a lot of enthusiasm! For us, the riders in the arena, the atmosphere is a real challenge, as much as the line-up of great riders, which is always top notch. In the end, I was the only rider to do a double clear round, but the format of the class meant that we had to ride very, very fast, whatever position we were in before the second round. It always feels good to get a win and I'd like to dedicate this one to my whole team! The indoor setting really suits Point Break, just like the course proposed by the course designer this evening. In the first round, he showed all his skill, particularly over the final obstacles which came up very quickly and we saw just how much they could push riders into making faults. It's definitely a great source of pride for me to win against such an incredible field of riders."