showjumping action at Le Saut Hermes in Paris
Simon Delestre takes the honours, while the 1.60m pairs class highlights an exciting young horse
CSI5* Saut Hermès, Grand Palais, Paris, France
THIS prestigious Hermès-sponsored show in the heart of Paris reached a dramatic crescendo on Sunday, with a welltimed win in the grand prix for Frenchman Simon Delestre and Hermès Ryan.
Under the ornate glass roof of the Grand Palais, 49 starters were bidding to take home the €132,000 (£115,931) first prize and 14 jumped clear in round one. But the tricolour went to the popular Frenchman after he scorched home nearly half a second faster than the in-form Belgian rider Niels Bruynseels (Gancia De Muze), with Marcus Ehning third for Germany on Cornado NRW and the reigning European champion Peder Fredricson fourth with Hansson WL.
Michael Whitaker was best of the Brits with four faults in the jump-off on JB’s Hot Stuff, while Denis Lynch (Van Helsing) just missed out on a place in the jumpoff with a time-fault in round one.
“The Saut Hermès competition was a goal for me, and Ryan is a little genius,” said Simon Delestre, picking up his first win in this annual competition.
“I am moved because my horse has so much heart — he is part of the family,” added Simon. “He always gives 300%. You have to live up to his talent.”
Ireland’s Bertram Allen (Christy Jnr) teamed up with Edwina Tops-Alexander (Lintea Tequila) for victory in the popular 1.60m pairs competition. The couple led after the first round with a clear apiece, while Bertram’s four faults in round two was just enough to maintain the top slot by a single point and the duo took home nearly €27,000 (£23,713) each.
“It went right down to the wire,” said Bertram. “Edwina
made my job easier by doing two clear rounds. I knew I could only afford to make one mistake if we wanted to win, so I am really happy. What’s more, my nineyear-old horse is still a novice at this level of competition. He is still learning.”
Although missing out in Sunday’s finale of the under-25 competition, Les Talents Hermès, the British representation of
Amy Inglis (Every Way) and Jake Saywell (Havinia Van De Roshoeve) took first and second respectively — separated by a mere 0.02 of a second — in Saturday’s class.
Robert Smith and Cimano E took the runner-up spot in the show’s opening two-phase.