Time for Tropicana Derby

On this 3rd day of competition, the highlight of the day has with no doubt been the Tropicana Derby, with 20 pairs from the CSI3* on the start list. The faithful public of the International Jumping of Dinard, known for supporting its French champions, but also the athletes from the whole planet, was not mistaken, since the grandstand was one more time fully packed.

CSI3* – Derby Tropicana : victory for Victoria Barcelona and Margaux Rocuet
The public of the International Jumping of Dinard had one more time filled up the grandstand of the Val Porée stadium to watch the famous Tropicana Derby. The French victory of Margaux Rocuet is even more special since the rider is based in the family stables of La Gouhardière in Saint Helen, a few kilometers away from Dinard.
After a second place in 2018, the rider from Brittany, Margaux Rocuet, wins the famous Tropicana Derby of Dinard, with the same mare, Victoria Barcelona, born at her father’s place just ten years ago. « It was complicated emotionaly » Margaux said, « since I had the pressure of doing as well as last year. For me it was difficult to imagine perform better, with the quality of riders present this year. » The rider, ready to burst into tears with emotion, paid tribute to her mare, she had actively prepared these past few weeks. « For a month and a half, Victoria did not see an arena, she worked a lot outside, in the fields, she went many times to the beach, and I trained again with my eventing coach Nicolas Richard at the Domaine des Ormes in Dol de Bretagne, like last year. Usually, Victoria is very quiet, but last night when we trained in the water on the main arena, I felt she knew something was going to happen. » Margaux paid tribute to her whole team and associated everybody to this beautiful win.
The second position goes to the world n°1, the Swiss Steve Guerdat, riding Evita, who signs a clear round s well. « That type of class appeals to the honesty and the trust of the horse into his rider. » The French Julien Gonin finishes 3rd, associated to Vipper du Lavoir. Among the very first pairs to start, he gets only a 2 points time penalty. Based around Lyon, the rider admitted he did not prepare his horse specially for this Derby, since everyday he likes to train his horses outside, take them in the fields, even on the road, and make them jump ditches and natural fences. « The main difficulty in that type of classes is to find the right pace so that the horse can beathe until the end properly. » Nicolas Delmotte places 4th with Alanine de Vains.

IN THE OTHER CLASSES OF THE DAY…
CSI3*: France in the lead
Besides the Tropicana Derby, the riders of the CSI3* could enter their best horse in the CRE de Bretagne class over 1m45. Victory is French, thanks to Pénélope Leprevost, riding Erlinda, who signs the fastest of the five pairs in the jump-off. She stands ahead of the rider from Brittany, Margaux Rocuet associated to Vahiné de Biéville and Richard Howley with Gaesbekers Glamour Girl.

CSI5*: and the winner is Daniel Bluman
The only class of the day reserved to the riders of the CSI5* was presented by the Conseil Régional de Bretagne. Out of the 40 pairs on the start list, 10 clear the 1m50 course, but the fastest, Daniel Bluman, representing Israël, clinches victory with Entano. The French Edward Levy places Divine de la Roque 2nd, while the German Daniel Deusser finishes 3rd associated to Killer Queen VDM.

CSI1*: three classes to shine
Today, the riders of the CSI1* confronted in three different classes. In the Royal Emeraude class, over 1m35, Ninon Decaqueray signs the fastest time with Tilda de Mars ahead of Quentin Salliot riding Beatnik de Boistillac and places in 3rd position her second horse Paradis Latin. In the Institut Esthederm class, victory goes to Jorge Gomez with Kyrol, while Louis Weinberg Herzog finishes 2nd with Gloridays in front of Arabella Prior and MH Sanfrancisco. The Hôtel Barrière class, over 1m25 against the clock, goes to Eugénie Monteagudo with Questsche de la Lande ahead of Noémie de Beaumais riding Armoise du Guilly and Nicolas Laplanche with Un Quorouick.

CSIYH : Grand Prix Elevage d’Helby – Lamotte Promotion – Top 7
This morning, from 9.00 onwards, the 51 best 7 years old horses confronted each other in the Top 7 final supported by Elevage d’Helby – Lamotte Promotion. 14 pairs qualified for the jump off. Chesca de Kergane, daughter of L’Arc de Triomphe Bois Margot, born at her owner’s place, Louis Meunier, and ridden by Valentin Besnard, signs the fatest clear round and clinches victory. The rider, based at Bruno Rocuet’s stables for the 4th consecutive season, commented « Chesca is very fast, respectful and modern. She already won many classes this year. » The 2nd position goes to Chamann Has, gelding by Mylord Carthago, under Marc Dilasser’s saddle, while Corto Danfer, stallion by Le Tôt de Semilly, ridden by Alexis Deroubaix, places 3rd.

 www.jumpingdinard.com
Véronique GAUTHIER
Margaux Rocuet and Victoria Barcelona winners of the Derby Tropicana (CSI3*)
(Photo mention: E. Knoll)