Germany's Daniel Deusser and Bingo Ste Hermelle (Number One d'Iso x Diamant de Semilly) kicked off the weekend at CSI5*-W Jumping International de Bordeaux 2023 with a win in Friday's 1.50m Prix FFE Generali.
Stopping the clock on 58.96, Deusser and the 12-year-old Bingo Ste Hermelle were the quickest of the 38 horse-and-rider-combinations at start in the 1.50m class judged as Table A. Jur Vrieling (NED) and the 12-year-old Fiumicino van de Kalevallei (Plot Blue x Nabab de Reve) took the runner-up position when they crossed the finish line in 61.56 seconds, while Wilm Vermeir (BEL) and the 10-year-old Enola Gay of Two Notes Z (Emerald x Chin Chin) slotted into third position with a time of 63.04. Olivier Robert (FRA) and Vangog du Mas Garnier (Cornet Obolensky x Quidam de Revel) were the best of those representing the host nation, finishing fourth ahead of Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) and Grand Slam VDL (Cardento x Heartbreaker) in fifth.
"I am very happy to start this competition with this victory,” said Deusser in a press release from Jumping International de Bordeaux. “My horse Bingo Ste Hermelle is naturally very fast. I must say that I managed to find the right keys on this course. Almost three seconds ahead, of course, is a good margin, but when you start in fourth position, you can never be sure of anything, there can always be someone capable of doing better. Fortunately, no one managed to do so and that gives me confidence for the rest of the weekend."
"Coming back here is a great pleasure," Deusser said. "Bordeaux is a really, really, really beautiful competition! I have the impression that there are even more people here than in the last few years combined. From Friday noon onwards, the stands were full, the exhibitions were full, there is really a great atmosphere here".