Press release from Jumping International de La Baule – Officiel de France, edited by World of Showjumping

Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, winner of the CSIO5* 1.50m Saur Prize with Lancelotta (Falkenhof’s Lancer x Orlando) and the CSIO5* 1.50m La Baule Derby – Demeures de Campagne on Easy Star de Talma (Quick Star x Opium de Talma), was the standout performer on the third day of the Jumping International de La Baule – Officiel de France.

The crowd’s standing ovation seemed to last forever. First, early in the afternoon following the CSIO5* 1.50m Saur Prize and again later, after the CSIO5* 1.50m La Baule Derby – Demeures de Campagne. Two major classes, two masterclasses from Steve Guerdat – the current world no. 10, the 2012 Olympic champion, three-time World Cup Final winner and the 2023 European Champion.

In the Saur Prize, the second-richest individual class of the show, Guerdat and Lancelotta, last to go among the 17 jump-off qualifiers from a field of 67 starters, put on a masterclass in precision, shaving 0.83 seconds off the time set by McLain Ward (USA) and High Star Hero (Zazu x Darco), who had seemed untouchable until then. Egypt’s Nayel Nassar, riding Orphea HQ (Emerald x Epleaser van’T Heike), finished third.

In the Derby, Guerdat and Easy Star de Talma faced an equally daunting challenge after the round delivered by his compatriot Martin Fuchs, who had set the pace aboard the mare Love de Vie (Grandorado TN x Vigo d’Arsouilles). For a long time, Fuchs looked set to emulate his father Thomas, winner of this Derby in 1983 with Willora Carpets. A true enthusiast of this unique class, Guerdat immediately established a very fast rhythm aboard the Selle Français stallion who had already carried him to victory last year. At the final intermediate checkpoint, only four hundredths of a second separated the two riders. By the finish line, Guerdat had extended the margin to 0.81 seconds, securing a second consecutive triumph.

“I knew I had to go almost four seconds faster than last year to win,” Guerdat said. “Easy Star jumped even better than he did last year. At no point did I feel him struggling. Personally, I enjoyed it a little less because I had the clock on my mind the whole way around. But the joy is immense after such an incredible day. On Friday, I was a bit disappointed with my Nations Cup performance. Lancelotta jumped very well, but we had a rail down in both rounds. The same thing happened in Thursday’s qualifier, so I wasn’t qualified for the Grand Prix. My spirits were a little low. This morning, I took my horses to the beach. When we came back, I saw people already lining up to get in. It’s a privilege to be here, to compete at shows like La Baule where the atmosphere is always extraordinary. I told myself it was a new day, with two great classes ahead, and that I needed to make the most of it. My mare was fantastic in the Saur Prize. She loves jump-offs and enjoys going fast. She trusts me. The jump-off was brilliant, and it motivated me even more for the Derby. I have a lot of natural obstacles at home because I like being close to nature. My horses are used to them and enjoy jumping this kind of course. To take two victory laps in La Baule gives you goosebumps. I feel so good here.”

Runner-up Martin Fuchs chose to focus on the positives from his day.“The Derby and the Grand Prix are two magical classes. Whenever I come to La Baule, I hope to win one of them. Finishing second is good as well because I’m very happy with my mare, Love de Vie. It was her first Derby and she performed really well. I’m going to enter her in other Derbies. It’s also very encouraging ahead of Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix. I’ll be competing with Conner Jei, who loves this arena. He made his first appearance here six years ago. He loves France.”

The podium was completed by Colombia’s René Lopez Lizarazo on Visa de Vy Z (Vleut x For Hero de Hus). “It was the first time my mare had tackled a course like this. I’m really pleased with her and delighted to be here at such a wonderful show. It’s just a shame there were two Swiss riders ahead of me today!”