The 1.55m main class, Le Saut Hermès, offered a total of 100.000 Euro tot the 20 horse-rider combinations at the start. In Paris it was eventually, Austria's Max Kühner who speeded to victory as one of the last riders at the start.
Kühner and the 11-year-old EIC Coriolis des Isles crossed the finish with almost one second difference to Willem Greve's time, claiming the win. In the end Dutch showjumping rider, Willem Greve settled as runner-up aboard his trusted Highway M TN (Eldorado v Zeshoek).
Last rider at the start, Germany's Kendra Claricia Brinkop completed the stage. Brinkop and her Belgian Warmblood-mare, Naf Naf DMC (Thunder vd Zuuthoeve) referred Greece's Ioli Mytilineou and La Perla v Heffinck (Cooper vd Heffinck) to the fourth place.
Only this top four managed to set a clear round in the two rounds course. With one jumping fault, Brazil's Marlon Modolo Zanotelli completed the top five aboard the 10-year-old sBs-mare, Heureuse Nouvelle WH (Cardento).
“I’m so happy because it was very unexpected, laughs Max Kühner. Coriolis had a little rest at the beginning of the year, so he was a little rusty to start with. It’s only his second competition after Doha in late February, so I didn’t have high hopes. However, he quickly got back in shape to take the win and surprises are always the best!”
Later in the 1.50m Speed Class it was France's Olivier Perreau and GL Events Dolce Deceuninck (Toulon) jumping to victory. With a time of 41.53 seconds, Perreau stayed ahead of compatriot Roger Yves Bost and Ballerine du Vilpion (Baloubet ud Rouet). Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann completed the stage with Dzara Dorchival (Qlassic Bois Margot).
The pair was followed by Victor Bettendorf (LUX) and his Big Star Des Forets (Untouchable M). Daniel Deusser and Mr. Jones (I'M Special de Muze) jumped into fifth.
