Edited press release from Longines Equita Lyon

This morning, CSI5*-W Longines Equita Lyon opened with a 1.50m class against the clock sponsored by Boehringer-Ingelheim. Forty-five couples had lined up to battle it out for the victory and register their name on the competition's list of winners. Not only did they need to jump a clear round, they also had to go fast, very fast, to have a chance of winning. The French course designer Grégory Bodo gave the riders food for thought with a technical layout including two doubles and thirteen obstacles on a winding course allowing short turns.

Gudrun Patteet (BEL) and Sea Coast Monalisa van't Paradijs (Bamako de Muze x Emerald) were the first to manage a clear round with a time of 67'57. A great performance, but not fast enough to win. Finally, it was the amazing Hermès Ryan (Hugo Gesmeray x Ryon d'Anzex) that had the last word with his long-time rider Simon Delestre (FRA). The couple won with a time of 64'22, ahead of Steve Guerdat (SUI) with Albfuehren's Maddox (Cohiba 1198 x Maraton) in second with a time of 65'03 and Gudrun Patteet with Sea Coast Pebbles Z (Picasso x Flamenco de Semilly) in third with a time of 65'33. Patteet also finished fifth with Sea Coast Monalisa van't Paradijs, and ahead of her in fourth was Edward Levy (FRA) on Sirius Black (Calisco du Pitray x Laudanum). 

"Ryan often comes here in good form. He really jumped well this morning and was very relaxed. I like these indoor events, which I really missed last year," said Delestre. "It's a part of the season I particularly enjoy because we are much closer to the audience, so the atmosphere is different. I just love the atmosphere!"