The CSI5* international competition at Equita Lyon kicked off with a massive starting field, as over 90 combinations entered the arena for the 1.45m opening speed class. In a fast-paced feature, it was France’s own Francois Xavier Boudant who set the pace and secured top honors aboard the BWP-gelding Quercus van den Oude Eik (v. Jenson van't Meulenhof x Darco). Bred by Gert Dierickx, the 10-year-old chestnut crossed the timers in an unbeatable 28.14 seconds.
Host nation riders dominated the top of the leaderboard, occupying all three podium spots. Fanny Guerdat Skalli guided the 10-year-old Selle Français mare Giulia d'Argouges (v. Padock du Plessis HN x Lauterbach), bred by Jean-Luc Dufour, into second place after stopping the clock at 30.15 seconds. Fellow Frenchman Lucas Fournier rounded out the top three riding H'Biba des Ailes (v. Excalibur Dela Tour Vidal Gfe x First de Launay HN), a 9-year-old Selle Français mare, stopping the clock cleanly in 30.82 seconds.
Germany's Stefan Engbers broke up the French streak in fourth position with the 10-year-old AES mare Be Gledis (v. Golden Hawk), recording a time of 30.84 seconds. Cyril Bouvard completed the top five for France aboard the 8-year-old Selle Français mare Iberique des Rondets (v. Balou du Rouet x Air Jordan) with a faultless round in 31.74 seconds.
