Hot on the heels of beating the Dutch on their home turf in a thrilling two-way jump-off in the Nations Cup last Friday, the French did it again 48 hours later when France’s Patrice Delaveau won Sunday’s Grand Prix at the five-star show.
The veteran French rider and Orient Express HDC (by Quick Star) flew around the jump-off course in the Grand Prix to clinch victory.
The pair blitzed the arena leaving all the fences intact in a time of 38.06 seconds to claim the first prize of €50,000 leaving Germany’s Daniel Deusser runner-up on Cornet d’Amour, clear in 39.00secs while Switzerland’s Paul Estermann was third on the Irish-bred Castlefield Eclipse (by KEC’s OBOS Quality), clear in 39.13secs.
Ireland’s rising star Bertram Allen (18) was fourth on Ballywalter Farm’s Molly Malone V (by Kaman), clear in 39.54secs, netting him €20,000 for his brilliant efforts.
The young rider, who has already clocked up a string of wins and top placings on the international circuit, placed well ahead of veteran riders such as Belgium’s Joe Lansink (10th), Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa (11th) and Dutch rider Jur Vrieling (12th) in the top-level competition.
Dutch hopes were represented by Marc Houtzager and Sterrehof’s Opium, clear in 40.56, which was good enough for fifth and Gerco Schroder and Glock’s London, clear in 40.79.
Spain’s Santiago Varela designed the course for the Grand Prix which attracted 50 riders with 12 going clear.
COULISA INJURED
Cameron Hanley racked up an unfortunate eight faults in the first round on Living The Dream (by Flamenco) while Tipperary’s Denis Lynch was eliminated after his mount Coulisa (by Couleur) suffered a heavy fall that resulted in her fracturing an elbow.
Lynch had a lucky escape from injury in the incident which occurred when the 10-year-old mare took off a stride early at a triple bar and couldn’t make the jump.
She was swiftly attended to by veterinary surgeons at the scene and transported to a nearby clinic where the fracture was discovered.
Early signs are that the surgery has gone well and the mare continues to make good progress.
Coulisa was transported back to Lynch’s yard in Germany to continue her recovery which is expected to take approximately six months.
It’s hoped that in time, Coulisa may be able to make a successful return to show jumping.
There was better news for Lynch when he won the five-star Rotterdam Championship with Abbervail van het Dingeshof with Co Down’s Dermott Lennon in the runner-up slot on the Irish-bred Loughview Lou Lou.
Cian O’Connor was runner-up on Blue Lloyd in the 1.45 metre speed class.
Allen had earlier enjoyed a third place in the 1.55 metre jump-off opening class at Rotterdam with Romanov, doing double clear in 41.90, fractionally behind German winner Marcus Ehning on Sabrina, double clear in 41.66.