Olivier Robert (FRA) and Vangog du Mas Garnier (Cornet Obolensky x Quidam de Revel) opened the weekend at CSI5*-W Helsinki International Horse Show in the Finnish capital with a win in Friday's 1.45m Longines Ranking class.

With a time of 56.25, Robert topped a starting field of 43 horse-and-rider-combinations. Stopping the clock on 56.57, Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) and Grand Slam VDL (Cardento 933 x Heartbreaker) had to settle for the runner-up position, while the third place went to Kevin Staut (FRA) on Havanabalia Grand Moustier Z D (Hoegie van'T Bergske x Acaletto), fourth to Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli (SWE) on Nintender Star (Nintender x Star Kingdom) and fifth to Paul-Richard Argus (EST) on Jay-Z Bee (Johnson TN x Lord Z). 

“I’m very happy to be here, it’s so far away but I love to come here," Robert said in a press release from Helsinki International Horse Show. "I enjoy this show and on Friday there are so many people in the tribune. The feeling on the course was good, and my horse did a super performance, he was perfect. I’m riding with him in tomorrow’s Grand Trophy and hoping to continue our great weekend."