Press release from R&B Presse

The challenging Masters One Prix du Canton de Vaud had only six clears in the first round. Of these six, three are members of the Riders Lab. The Riders Lab offers the opportunity for the most promising young riders to compete in the Longines Masters international series. In the end, it was young Bryan Balsiger who won this round in the fashion of a master with Dubai du Bois Pinchet.

Since the beginning of the Longines Masters in Lausanne, Bryan Balsiger has been performing against the best riders in the world and the gorgeous Lake Leman backdrop. He was fifth in the opening round of Thursday’s Masters One with Ak's Courage, fourth yesterday in the Prix de la Ville de Lausanne with his grey mare and today victorious in the Prix du Canton de Vaud with Dubai du Bois Pinchet.

“This victory today represents a lot for me. Between the win in the La Baule Nations Cup, a placing in St. Gallen two weeks ago, and now this win here in Lausanne, I still hasn’t sunk in. It's really amazing,” he said. “I didn’t bring Clouzot de Lassus, my top horse, here to Lausanne. I have been really counting on Ak’s Courage and Dubai du Bois Pinchet this week, and so far they’ve done their job really well! Courage has continued with good performances since Thursday, and we still have the Grand Prix tomorrow. With Dubai, we still have to get to know each other a bit. These are our first classes at this level. I picked up the ride just at the beginning of the year, so I haven’t found all of the buttons yet. But he is very fast and has an excellent disposition to the fence. I think I have many beautiful years ahead with my horses. My dream is to go to the Olympic Games one day, and for that you have to work step by step, and I will take the time it takes to get there.”

Balsiger sees the opportunity to compete in the Longines Masters series as a springboard for young riders. “I think a concept like the Riders Lab is important for all young riders like me. It allows us to have the chance to ride at great shows, like the one here in Lausanne. It’s something fantastic. This Longines Masters of Lausanne is a amazing show. I'm lucky that it’s also very close to home. My mares are in great shape and for the moment we have had very good results,” Balsiger said. 

There is no doubt that the most talented young riders will take advantage of the opportunity to make their mark at the highest international level, and that we will see more results like this from Balsiger after Longines Masters in Lausanne is over.