Home win at Saut Hermes 2018 for Simon Delestre

It was a gran finale at the Saut Hermès 2018. Simon Delestre takes a home win in the glass-topped Grand Palais with his 13-year-old chestnut gelding Hermes Ryan. History was made since it was the first victory ever by a French rider in the 1m60 five star Grand Prix.  Destiny also wanted that the horse named after the famous fashion house took all the honour in Paris.
The French pair defeated the tough competition of 14 riders who made it into the jump-off and it turned out to be a race against the clock where less than the half starters ended clear round.
Second place was Niels Bruynseels with his Gancia de Muze: they finished in 34.37 seconds. Behind them was Germany’s Marcus Ehning and his Cornado NRW, closing in 35.72 seconds.
Among the riders going through to the jump-off, there were also Italy’s  Emanuele Gaudiano with Caspar 232 (8th place and 4 penalties) and Lorenzo De Luca atop of Ensor de Litrange LXII (10th place with 4 penalties).

The third Azzurri pair involved was that of Alberto Zorzi with Ego van Orti: they took the 19th spot with 4 penalties in the first round.
Full result list: http://results.scgvisual.com/2018/hermes/r10.html

Press Release
Photo: Simon Delestre FRA Hermes Ryan Grand Prix Saut Hermes 2018 winners
Photo courtesy of Saut Hermes, credits F. Chehu