It was the perfect result for the Eiffel Sunday Challenge presented by La Mairie de Paris and home legend Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) took the win with his stunning grey stallion Pegase du Murier in front of a thrilled audience. Ahead of the finale of the three day show jumping extravaganza, 43 world class riders took centre stage for the CSI5* Eiffel Sunday Challenge, presented by the Mairie de Paris. The speed class was a fast and furious showcase of the top talent in show jumping, with the packed crowd cheering the riders on as they tackled the course for the lion’s share of the €155,000 prize purse. Uliano Vezzani’s final course of the weekend gave plenty of options for the stars of show jumping, with galloping distances and tight corners inviting riders to chance it at the full height verticals. The early pace setter was Germany’s Katharina Offel (GER) with her dark bay gelding Cassius. The 13 year old horse galloped the distances, jumping with plenty of scope to clear the 1.50/1.55m fences, jetting them into the lead and putting the pressure on the rest of the field to follow. Luciana Diniz (POR) and her bay 15 year old stallion Lennox cruised the course, turning up the temperature as a delighted Luciana stopped the clocks at 58.73s to the applause of the crowd. But soon the rain returned, and a sharp short rainfall added further challenge to the class. Lauren Hough (USA) and Ohlala proved that showers couldn’t stop them, upping the pace once more and crossing the line in 57.11s and putting them in prime position. The every speedy Laura Renwick (GBR) and Bintang II put in a valiant effort, but could only settle for 57.49s, putting them in third overall. In the final phase of the competition, French legend Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) took to the ring with Pegase du Murier, and the crowd watched with baited breath as the pair took off at a phenomenal pace. The crowd roared as Bosty galloped to the last, keeping the hot Pegase du Murier cool and collected to pop over the last, stopping the clocks in 56.10s, taking top honours in front of his home crowd.
