Harold Boisset has proven he was right: “There were some who had their doubts but I’ve always believed in this horse”. “This horse” is Quolita Z, winner of the Grand Prix. The nine-year-old mare by Quasimodo Z brought the French show-jumper a triumphant victory in the Longines Rankings show jumping, which boasted prize money of 30,000 euros, at the Autumn MET in Oliva Nova. A good second quicker than the second place pairing, Carlow van de Helle and Belgian rider Constant van Paesschen, Boisset and Quolita Z completed the course in 37.31 seconds. The small, brown mare made a very positive impression two years ago at the World Jumping Championships for Young Horses when she came ninth in the final, and in the summer she brought her rider placings in CSI3* tests. Now she has followed this up with a win in the second of three Grand Prix competitions taking place at the three-week-long Autumn MET in Spain, which brought with it prize money of 7,500 euros. “She is small, fast and very agile, and that suits me perfectly”, said Harold Boisset in praise of his sporting partner. Second place pairing Carlow van de Helle by Caretino-Corofino and Nations Cup rider van Paesschen are a brand new combination. “This is only our second tournament together”, enthused the 21 year-old Belgian, who visits the MET on the Mediterranean coast every year. “Last week Carlow and I came third, and now we’ve got second place. I think he is one of the most favoured horses for the future – he has the potential for big sport”. Van Paesschen has forged several friendships in Spain, and he reaffirms them each year. “I always find it interesting as nothing here stays the same, everything is always developing”, said the son of Belgian trainer Stanny van Paesschen. Third place went to Brit James Smith with Tyson Uno. A total of 73 competitors took place in the Grand Prix in Oliva Nova, 18 of whom made the leap into the jump-off of this challenging test. On Monday the Autumn MET will have a rest day, as it did last week, but on Tuesday part 3 of the Autumn MET will begin, starting with the international young horses tests. The equestrian sporting action will continue on Spain’s Mediterranean coast until 8th November. Results: CSI2* 1.30 m Gold 1. Virginie Thonon (Belgium) with Kosovo, 0/55.30 penalties/time 2. Emma Augier de Moussac (Czech Republic) with Corinda vd Reesthoeve, 0/55.91 3. Matthew Sampson (England) with Dolanda, 0/56.38 4. Jamie Wingrove (England) with Zilfa Heleen, 0/56.51 5. Harold Boisset (France) with Verty Go, 0/56.76 6. Clint Sulmoni (Switzerland) with Cassirado, 0/60.80 CSI2* 1.40 m Gold 1. Laura Renwick (England) with Rembrandt Blue, 0/27.32 2. Jerome Guery (Belgium) with Strangelove Ennemmel, 0/27.66 3. Santiago Lambre (Mexico) with Zeus du Buisson Z, 0/28.19 4. Silvia Bazzani (Italy) with Corofin, 0/28.80 5. Harold Boisset (France) with T’Obetty du Domaine, 0/28.82 6. Aldrick Cheronnet (France) with Bokidoki vd Kranenburg, 0/28.84 CSI2* 1,45 m Gold 1. Harold Boisset (France) with Quolita Z, 0/37.31 2. Constant van Paesschen (Belgium) with Carlow van der Halle, 0/38.71 3. James Smith (England) with Tyson Uno, 0/38.83 4. Pisani Riccardo (Italy) with Cigo B, 0/39.64 5. Vladimir Tuganov (Russia) with Sinfonie, 0/40.02 6. Alain Jufer (Switzerland) with Wiveau M, 0/40.8
