The International Jumping Riders Club since 1977 is the voice of the showjumping riders from around the world.
International Jumping Riders Club
THE PODIUMS OF THE WEEKEND
CSI5* Grand Prix of Hubside Jumping
Kent Farrington on the flying machine Gazelle (by Kashmir van Schutterhof) won the Grand Prix of Hubside Jumping followed by Julien Epaillard with Usual Suspect d'Auge (by Jarnac) and Nicolas Delmotte and Ilex VP (by Diamant de Semilly).
An incredible jump-off!
It’s a well-known fact that it’s better to be among the last riders to go in the jump-off than be the opening one. This cost the first two riders, Germany’s Angelica Rûsen and France’s Marie Demonte dearly and each had one pole down. Mathieu Billot and Quel Filou 13 were the first double clear, but in a time which seemed beatable.
Belgium’s François Mathy Jr didn’t improve on Billot’s performance and had one down on an oxer. But Bryan Balsiger, the Swiss show jumping prodigy, was successful and was faster by sixty hundredths of a second with Twentytwo des Biches. Italy’s Giulia Martinengo Marquet had a minor fall in the jump-off, but neither she or Elzas, her elevenyear-old gelding, were hurt. The second group of jump-off riders had the French Riviera spectators on the edge of their seats. While Balsinger was the rider to beat, Ireland’s Michael Duffy also jumped double clear, but was slightly slower. Nicolas Delmotte, who has already won a 4* Grand Prix at the HUBSIDE JUMPING Grimaud-Gulf of Saint-Tropez with Ilex VP, was slightly faster (thirty hundredths of a second) and went into the lead provisionally.
America’s Beezie Madden and France’s Simon Delestre were also clear in terms of jumping, but didn’t improve on the leading time: the main threats for Delmotte, who comes from France’s Nord department, were represented by the last two impressive riders to go. Julien Epaillard, who yesterday was unsure about entering the 5* Grand Prix, shaved one and a half seconds off the time of his fellow countryman. Had the die been cast?
America’s Kent Farrington set off in the jump-off like a rocket: in the stands the public knew that if he jumped clear he would win the Grand Prix. His performance lived up to expectations: for his first ever participation in the HUBSIDE JUMPING, the current Olympic team silver medallist and winner of the prestigious Grand Prix of Aachen in 2019, won the 5* Grand Prix!
CSI5* Grand Prix of Stockholm
Scott Brash with Hello Jefferson (by Cooper vd Heffinck) was the fastest in Stockholm who set unbeatable time of 39.81 seconds.
In second place Edwina Tops-Alexander with Fellow Castlefield (by Je T'Aime Flamenco). Spencer Smith and Quibelle (by Frh Quaid) completed the top three. They had one fault in the jump-off and finished in 39.58 seconds.
CSIO5* Grand Prix in Sopot
The victory went to the young American rider Brian Moggre and Balou du Reventon. Brian was followed by his 22-year-old friend, Lucy Deslauriers. She also had a double clear round, but wasn’t as fast.
The third place went to Niels Bruynseels managed to join the young American riders on the third step of the podium with Ilusionata van't Meulenhof (Lord Z).
Image: Kent Farrington and Gazelle