On this lovely mild autumnal Saturday, the Marseillaise was heard on the Riviera thanks to the victory of Harold Boisset and his long-standing accomplice T’Obetty du Domaine. Out of the 37 contenders, 12 emerged unscathed over the track proposed by Grégory Bodo and went through to the jump-off. Amongst them, top riders in the discipline such as the France’s Simon Delestre, Kevin Staut, Benoit Cernin, the Belgian Grégory Wathelet and yesterday’s winner, the Colombian René Lopez Lizarazo. With the mountains and the Grimaud Chateau in the background, a thrilling moment of sport was about take place. In the end it was Harold Boisset, the rider from Montpellier, who recently won the 1.45m at the CSI 2* in Macon, who finished in ahead. “We’ve already done two rounds this weekend having 4 faults each time, which doesn’t happen often, so I thought it was time for a change,” laughed the rider. “The initial course was quite selective and tricky, especially the vertical at n°3 which, in addition to being white, was quite narrow and saw a lot of competitors faulting. However, she’s very respectful and in top form so everything want to plan. I’ve been riding her since she was a 4 year old, she’s 14 now, she’s a mare who’s won masses of classes in the past, especially speed ones. Today, I tried to slow the rhythm and not ask for as much from her, but she still performed just as well and was responsive, which is very satisfying!” Sweden invited itself onto the podium with Petronella Anderson, 2nd with Cassina Z, then, in 3rd place it was France again with Jean-Luc Mourier and his grey, with whom he won the CSI 2* Grand Prix in Megève, Captain Keen.
A little later the French Marseillaise was heard again for Benoit Cernin! The Frenchman won the CSI 4* – 1.50m speed class with his promising Cookie de Vesvre, a 9 year old gelding by Dollar Dela Pierre. “It’s only his second 1.50m, he did one in Valence, and won”, explained the rider from Saône-et-Loire. “I’m gradually entering him in classes over this height and at the moment it’s not proving to be a problem for him. He jumped really well, he wants to go, gives everything, maybe even too much sometimes, it’s complicated to do a schooling round with him because he always wants to win. When he was a 6 year old I didn’t think he was capable of doing the 7 year old classes and 1.40m tracks, finally he’s proved me wrong. He’s real potential to reach the top and I’ve got a lots of hopes for him”. Italy’s Giampiero Garofalo was 2nd riding Cava and the France’s Paul Delforge finished 3rd with Terre du Banney.
