French speed specialist Julien Epaillard – current world number three – is yet again on a winning streak and opened Longines Equita Lyon 2022 with a home win in Friday's CSI5*-W 1.50m Prix Groupama. Riding the 9-year-old Donatello d'Auge (Jarnac x Hello Pierville), Epaillard stopped the clock on 28.74 in this competition judged as a two phases special – topping a starter field of 53 horse-and-rider-combinations.

"Donatello is a very consistent horse," Epaillard said after his victory. "This was his third win in a row. At just nine years old, the future looks bright for him. If I qualify for the Equita Masters on Saturday night, he will be the one on the starting line with me." 

Jerome Guery (BEL) and the 12-year-old Azaria Dinero (Mylord Carthago x Drakkar des Hutins) took the runner-up position with a time of 29.20, while Penelope Leprevost (FRA) on the 11-year-old Texas (Tornesch 1042 x Robin Z) crossed the finish line in 29.74, taking the third place. Robin Muhr (ISR) on Baccarat Meniljean (Diamant de Semilly x Dollar du Murier) placed fourth, while fifth went to Megane Moissonnier (FRA) on Bracadabra (Pacific des Essarts x Couleur Rubin).