The CSI4* event in Rouen delivered a strong day of international sport with two highly competitive classes. In front of an enthusiastic home crowd, François Xavier Boudant confirmed his status as the man of the moment by taking victory in both featured competitions, first with blistering speed in the 1.40m Two Phases and then with faultless authority in the prestigious 1.45m.
CSI4* 1.40m
The morning’s Prix Euro Docks Services, a CSI4* Two Phases over 1.40m, saw fifty-nine combinations tackle a fast and flowing track that rewarded pure speed in the second phase. François Xavier Boudant set an almost untouchable marker when he flew through the timers aboard Egoki (Catoki) in 22.92 seconds, leaving the rest of the field chasing shadows.
Fellow Frenchman Dylan Ringot came closest with the elegant Icen (Iceman de Muze), stopping the clock at 23.71 seconds, while Belgian rider Jules Denutte and Doligo de St Leger (Hooligan de Rosyl) shared third place alongside Switzerland’s Bryan Balsiger on Checker (Clarcon), both recording identical times of 23.91 seconds.
Jean-Christophe de Grande, rounded out the top five with Sadel de Roulard (Kafka Vd Heffinck) in 24.04 seconds.
CSI4* 1.45m
Later in the afternoon, the Prix de la Métropole Rouen Normandie raised the height to 1.45m and introduced the Winning Round format, where only the twelve fastest first-round performers returned for a shortened course against the clock.
Once again it was Boudant who proved unbeatable, this time partnering the powerful Brazyl du Mezel (Haloubet de Gorze) to stop the clock in 37.05 seconds and secure his second victory of the day. Brazilian rider João Victor Castro Aguiar Gomes De Lima produced one of the performances of the weekend to take second place by just six hundredths of a second with Obama de La Liniere (Marius Claudius) in 37.11 seconds, while French speed specialist Julien Epaillard claimed third aboard the exciting Le Coultre de Muze (Presley Boy) in 37.88 seconds.
Nicolas Layec kept the tricolore flying in fourth with Georgio Louvo Z (George), finishing in 38.42 seconds, and Philippe Rozier completed the top five on Prestigio Ls La Silla (Presley Boy) with a time of 40.19 seconds.
