“I’ve got great memories of Monaco, advanced Zorzi. It’s a super show where the arena is admittedly small but that’s fortunate, I love it! I’m counting mainly on my mare Clarina for the big classes and I really hope to have as much success as in previous years”. Second in the Parisian leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour, on Saturday June the 26th, Egypt’s Sameh El Dahan would like to confirm him current good form.
The French are also looking good. With Julien Epaillard, France’s top ranked rider (12th), Olivier Robert, the ex World n°1 Simon Delestre, Olivier Perreau or even Titouan Schumacher all wanting to stand out and perhaps even imitate Kevin Staut, the only French rider to have imposed himself on the Port Hercule, back in 2012 with Rêveur de Hurtebise HDC. Winner last May of the Madrid leg of the circuit, Oliver Robert, who is the best placed Frenchman following the six first LGCT (8th) is waiting with impatience for this rendezvous. “I really like this atypical show with it’s small ring, confided the rider who comes from Bordeaux. There really is a special atmosphere with the support of the Princely family who’ve always engaged themselves in the show and our sport. Sportingly, I’m participating with Vangog du Mas Garnier. We finished 7th together in 2019. He particularly appreciates this arena. The lights are on green and everything seems to be ready and lined up for us to perform well”. Julien Epaillard, who has the honour of starring on the event’s poster, is also rejoicing to be returning to the Principality. “In the small ring, it’s a little like being at an indoor event but without a roof, explains the French n°1. The conditions are always excellent. I like this show which is very festive with classes in the evening which gives time during the day to enjoy the setting. I’m going to compete with Usual Suspect d’Auge who was third in the Grand Prix here in 2019. »
In addition to the six CSI 5* rendezvous on the schedule, the CSI2* and National classes offer slightly less experienced riders the privilege of sharing the same arena as the discipline’s stars. Amongst them, a number of young riders who will be called to represent the Principality at the next European Championships will be determined to make their mark in front of their selector, France’s Philippe Rozier, team gold medallist at Rio. |