It was a sensational day of top-tier sport at the Jumping International de Dinard, where precision, power, and pace were put to the ultimate test. Highlighting the action in Brittany, the legendary 1.45m CSI5* Derby saw Olympic champion Steve Guerdat deliver a masterclass, while Great Britain's Ben Maher set the arena ablaze to claim the 1.50m CSI5* speed feature earlier in the day.
The prestigious Dinard Derby over 1.45m produced a grueling test of endurance, control, and bravery. Crossing the line as the fastest clear round of the class, Steve Guerdat showcased supreme horsemanship aboard Easy Star de Talma (Quick Star x Opium de Talma, breeder: Dr. Michel Guiot). The Swiss maestro guided the ten-year-old Selle Français stallion through the demanding course to stop the clock in an unbeatable 155.19 seconds.
"I really wanted to add this Derby on my list with victories," Guerdat says after his win. "We tried multiple and have been close to the win, times, and today we succeeded. It shows you always have to continue trying!"
"What helped me today is that I didn't overthink. My horse was fantastic and I just took the necessary risks. Easy Star just loves this type of classes." Guerdat concludes
Spain's Armando Trapote put up a valiant challenge with Caept'n Hook (Conthargos x Calido I, breeder: Hildegard Kuhlmann), posting a brilliant clear in 160.81 seconds to secure the runner-up spot. The podium was rounded out by fellow Spaniard Alberto Sanchez-Cozar, who steered Giovani de Perhet (Kannan x Dollar du Murier) into third with a clean effort in 169.19 seconds.
Belgium’s young star Thibeau Spits also mastered the natural obstacles, piloting the BWP mare Quendelin van 't Merelsnest (Kannan x Darco, breeder: Walter Van Bunder - Stoeterij 't Merelsnest BV) to a flawless clear round in 169.77 seconds for fourth place. France’s Nicolas Layec posted the fastest time of the day (150.15s) on Georgio Louvo Z (George x Quintus d'09), but a single rail relegated the pair to fifth.
Ben Maher Flies to Victory in 1.50m Opener
Earlier in the day, high speed and tight turns dominated the 1.50m CSI5* class, where Ben Maher proved uncatchable. Partnering with the veteran 15-year-old KWPN mare Ginger-Blue (Plot Blue x Royal Bravour, breeder: P. Verberne), Maher sliced through the course with pinpoint accuracy, setting a blistering pace of 62.16 seconds to claim top honors.
Home crowd favorite Julien Anquetin (FRA) pushed hard to match the Brit’s pace aboard Farah Tame (Quadrio Tame x Panama Tame, breeder: S.C.E.A. Brohier Denis), ultimate falling just short in 63.01 seconds to take second. Belgium’s Gudrun Patteet earned a podium finish in third, stabling a lightning-fast clear aboard Sea Coast Chica V.V. Z (Comme Il Faut 5 x Chacco-Blue, breeder: Evelyne Van Vreckom) in 63.17 seconds.
The Netherlands’ Willem Greve picked up fourth place with the promising nine-year-old stallion Cero Blue TN (Chacoon Blue x Balou du Rouet, breeder: Harm Thormaehlen) in 71.82 seconds, while Dutch compatriot Annelies Vorsselmans completed the top five aboard C. Kulottie W Z (Comme Il Faut 5 x Guidam, breeder: P.H.B.M. van Wegen) in 72.78 seconds.
