Victory For Alexa Ferrer at Grimaud!

Alexa Ferrer and her impressive Encantado C’SG scored their first victory in a 5* class! If Ireland, with Mark McAuley, seemed to have control of the class, it was without counting on the French couple, last to go. By finishing the course in 66.35 seconds and not a single pole on the ground, the French rider was the winner in the Grimaud arena. “It’s my first victory at 5* level, so I’m delighted,“ confided Alexa. “Even if it’s a speed class it’s already a good class. My horse was on form and going at the end gave me a real sense of what I needed to do to win. For a first day it was a subtle course, there was a line at the end with a turn and the treble as before last which was rather tricky. Encantado will do the big 1.55m class tomorrow (Friday) and I’m going to put my mare, Uranie, in Sunday’s Grand Prix. Encantado will do the one next week.”  By crossing the finishing line in the second fastest time, 67.63 seconds, Mark McAuley riding Jasco Vd Bisschop climbed onto the second step of the podium in front of his compatriot Michael Duffy who partnered Jeff Ten Halven (68,68 seconds).
Belgian victory in the CSI 5* – 1.45m class of the day. Constant Van Paesschen and Diaz du Thot were the fastest to finish the course proposed by Javier Trenor Paz. Diaz is “naturally very fast,“ said the Belgian after his round. “It makes it already a bit easier to try and win a class, and when it works it’s always agreeable. She’s only 8 years old, it’s her first 5* but she’s a fantastic mare, she’s really exceptional”. Margaux Rocuet, riding the 2020 French 7yo vice-champion, Dubai du Cedre, was in the lead for a long time and finished in 2nd place. The podium was completed by Alexa Ferrer, clearly on great form this Thursday, with Gracieux du Pachis.
Later on Cédric Hurel and Royal Destinee distinguished themselves over a 1.30m track against 92 other participants in the first CSI 2* class of the Hubside Jumping Fall Tour and the sound of the French national anthem, the Marseillaise, was heard yet again.  “He was very good and very calm. He’s a very experienced horse, a 16 yo who often wins. He was very attentive so I was able to go against the clock and tighten all the turns without damaging the quality of his jump”  confided his rider as he left the ring.
The French flag was already honoured this morning with the victory of Charlotte Léoni and Fantasia de l’Aubere in the CSI 1* (1.00m) and then with the win of Sabine Maitrot Charmasson with Guapa-S in the CSI 1* 1.15m class. The CSI 1* – 1.25m saw success for Liechtenstein’s Jennifer Hochstadter and Tino de Nouvolieu  “I’m really pleased”,  explained the rider. “He keeps on proving how great he is, whether it’s here at Grimaud or in Valence. He’s fast and always very respectful. For this weekend I’ve decided he won’t do anything more until Sunday’s Grand Prix where we hope to win ! »
The Hubside Fall Tour is off to a great start. An excellent weekend of sport is on the cards with already a 1.55m CSI 5* class this Friday.*

Hubside Jumping Grimaud | Photo (Alexa Ferrer & Encantado C’GS) (c) Sportfot
HSJ