The World Cup horses didn't have to jump today because of their big finale tomorrow. Therefore it was up to the other five star horses to enter the showring today. The Grand Prix Equithème was a class ridden in two different rounds, with fences up to 1m50. Only the best twelve combinations of the first round, could come back for the second round. The first French rider to enter the show ring was Patrice Delaveau. With his KWPN gelding Aquila HDC (f. Ovidius) under the saddle, he was one of the first combinations to enter the ring. He didn't seem to mind: he went fast as lightening and finished in 46,41 seconds. Doing this, he put a lot of pressure on the other combinations and it seemed like nobody could cope with that pressure, but then there was Daniel Deusser, ... Daniel Deusser and Cornet (f. Cornet Obolensky) were the last combination to enter the show ring and it immediately became clear that DD only wanted one thing: winning... He raced through the cours and left the wood untouched. Eventually he finished in 45,33 seconds which resulted in a first place. Patrice Delaveau had to take peace with the second place. The third place went to another French rider: Cédric Agnot. He rode Saxo de la Cour (f. Tllaloc M) in 46,83 seconds to the finish, not touching the wood. Simon Delestre ended on fourth place with Chadino (v. Chacco-Blue). Chadino jumped a clear round in 46,85 seconds. Reynald Angot et Symphonie des Biches (f. Kannan) completed the top five. Click here for the results
