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.
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.