Eric Lamaze and Powerplay (Casall x Limbus) showed that they are a force to be reckoned with, as they won the CSIO5* Grand Prix in La Baule on Sunday. The Canadian rider had one of nine clears in the first round, and moved on to the jump-off to battle it out against the clock. With a time of 35.83 seconds around the shortened track, the Canadian rider took the win – leaving in-form Abdelkebir Ouaddar and the Diamant de Semilly-stallion Quickly de Kreisker behind him in second on a time of 37.53 seconds. The Moroccan-French pair were winners of the 1.50 on Thursday, and won the Grand Prix in Le Touquet last weekend – there is no doubt that they are in super shape.
Then followed a bunch of French riders; third place went to home rider Patrice Delaveau on Carinjo HDC (Cascavelle x Landgraf), while Friday's Nations Cup heroines Penelope Leprevost and Dame Blanche van Arenberg (Clinton x Codexco) were fourth just fractions behind. Belgium's 18 year old Jos Verlooy sneaked in fifth on Domino (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Azur Depaulstra), also he double clear before two more home riders followed, as Kevin Staut ended sixth and Simon Delestre seventh – securing another great day for the French on home soil.
It was an extremely emotional win for Lamaze, who won the CSIO5* La Baule event on one other occasion in his career - in 2011 with the magnificent Hickstead. “This is the first five-star Grand Prix that I’ve won since Hickstead,” said Lamaze, who was smiling from ear to ear. “It is super exciting to win this Grand Prix. It’s a Grand Prix that I’ve won before; I know what it feels like to win in La Baule!”
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© Press release from Starting Gate Communications/ WoSJ
