The Longines Masters of Paris first day of competition just ended on a new class, the Prix Hubside. The Masters One riders (CSI5*) and the Masters Two riders (CSI2*) competed on the same course, with two separate rankings for each category. The young American rider Spencer Smith once again beat the best of the World on a French arena to win the CSI5*. Luxemburg’s Charlotte Bettendorf took first on the CSI2*. The 1.45m Prix Hubside designed by Frank Rothenberger was the highlight of this Thursday. A total of 109 riders from both the Masters One and Masters Two competed against the clock on the Paris arena. Riding a mare belonging to his coach Eric Lamaze, Happiness, Spencer Smith seized first price. Snatching the win from the best riders of the World has become a habit for this twenty-two-year-old, when he is competing in France. Tonight he produced the fastest clear in 53.09 seconds. “I love to come to France, I think this country is my lucky charm! I was riding a very good mare so I just let her do her job. It is still rare for me to win at this level. All my horses are in very good form, the competition couldn’t start in a better way.” In the Masters Two, the Luxemburg were honoured by the victory of Charlotte Bettendorf with her mare Raia d’Helby. The couple already scored a win last week-end in Kronenberg. They were clear again today, in a time worthy of a Masters One rider: 55.77 seconds. “I usually prefer to start at the beginning of the class. Today, however, I was last to go out of over 100 competitors. In the end, it was for the best as I could observe the different options chosen by the other riders. I noticed that for my category, I didn’t have to give it all. My mare was really perfect. I think I gained a lot of time in the option on the way to the fourth jump. She’s usually very consistent in competition. I am really confident for the rest of the week-end.” France’s Jacques Helmlinger took second with Tonic des Mets in 57.51 seconds. The Brit Louise Saywell and Golden Wave OL scored 58.99 seconds, into third place.
