Hubside Jumping Grimaud: A double win for Holly Smith

Holly Smith widens the gap at the Hubside Jumping Grimaud – Golfe de St Tropez and sees hers odds increase before Sunday’s Grand Prix! Under the sun and the Mediterranean heat, the British rider, riding Denver, left her competitors no chance. Already a winner on thursday’s 1.50m, she once again dominated, winning the day’s big class, the CSI 5* Grand Prix over a 1.55m track. The CSI 5* 1.50m speed class went to the Italian Emanuele Gaudiano and Carlotta 232.
Holly Smith does it again !
Already winners on thursday in the CSI 5* 1.50m Grand Prix, Great Britain’s Holly Smith and her amazing Denver once again had the final word to say in this Friday’s major class, the 1.55m Grand Prix! The team bronze medallist at the 2019 European Championships (Rotterdam) gave her opponents a hard time. With no less than 41 riders on the start, including the World number 1, the German Daniel Deusser, the American Laura Kraut, the Swedish Olympic team champion Peder Fredricson (#2), France’s Kevin Staut (#9), Simon Delestre (#17), Nicolas Delmotte, Julien Epaillard (#15) or the Irish delegation of Billy Towmey, Mark McAuley and Denis Lynch, it was clear that the battle was going to be tough. Sixteen made it through to the jump-off. The British rider, fourth to start in this second act, really threw down the gauntlet and put a lot of pressure on her opponents by crossing the finish line in 38.36s, forcing them to take every risk. “What a horse!” she exclaimed as she left the arena.“Honestly I don’t have any other words, Denver is incredible. He performs well in any type of class, Grand Prix, Nations Cup and speed, he’s a real star. I couldn’t have hoped for a better start to the competition. I was luckier than in the previous class because I was able to watch the other riders in the first round and also in the jump-off. This allowed me to see how I could gain time and once I was in the ring I just went for it. He really has scope, covers the ground and is really determined in these moments. I’m also delighted for his owners, whom I would like to thank and without whom I wouldn’t have the opportunity to ride such a horse.” The Colombian Carlos Enrique Lopez Lizarazo, also giving it everything on G & C Arrayan, was not far behind, just a few tenths of a second in 38.57s. Also pulling out all the stops, Frenchman Julien Epaillard, often considered as being unbeatable when it comes to speed, finished 3rd with his winning ride from thursday , Usual Suspect d’Auge (38.83s).
The CSI 2* 1.40m Grand Prix went to France’s Mégane Moissonnier. With no less than 82 starters and 30 qualifying for the jump-off, winning was not going to be an easy task. In the end, 15 riders made it through to the second round and it was the French rider, riding Ureka de Roy, who won in 36.48s. “I found the course quite tricky to ride, but there are so many good riders that there are always a lot of clear rounds in these classes,“ explained Mégane. My mare was brilliant, she jumped even better than last week so I’m really thrilled with this victory and I hope we’ll do just as well tomorrow in the 1.45m.” A podium 100% French as she was followed by Clément Boulanger and Vaya de Lacke in 36.64s and Olivier Perreau with Dalton du Morion (38.66s).
The Italian, Emanuele Gaudiano, known to be a formidable opponent when it comes to going fast, won the 1.50m CSI 5* speed class. It was with his faithful Carlotta 232, with whom he recently won in Valencia, Monaco and Valkenswaard, that he gave himself this new success, stopping the clock at 59.07s. “Carlotta is extremely fast and she jumped really well again today. She’s consistent and proved to me yet again that I can always count on her. I’m absolutely delighted with this new victory here at Grimaud“, said the winner. If Great Britain’s Holly Smith was unable to keep up with the frantic pace set by the Italian rider, she still finishes 2nd in 62.72s with Fruselli. France’s Kevin Staut was 3rd with Athos des Genets (63.28s).
Riding a mare who is only 7 years old, Obelia Vd Bisschop, Great Britain’s Jackson Reed Stephenson won the CSI 2* 1.30m in 28.76s. France’s Marion Skalli, already victorious last week with Evidence des Douces, on thursday took second place with Rialto de Chassignol (30.65s). Canada’s Danielle Lambert, coached by Olympic Champion Philippe Rozier, completed the top three line-up with Conrad Sunheup Z (31.26s).
This second week of the Hubside Fall Tour seems to be under favourable auspices for the young Noa Verel who, after her victory on thursday in the CSI 1* – 1.25m, took the first two places in the CSI 1* 1.25m speed class. The rider from Auvergne-Rhône Alpes region of France rode a magnificent round with Balduion 35 in 28.70s, having already jumped clear with Urbane de Ribaudiere in 30.01s. “I was really motivated to get a second win”, exclaimed Noa as the results were announced. “I was lucky to have two horses in the class and for Urbane to be drawn first of the two. At the end of the round, I was already in the lead with my mare, I just tried to keep the objective the same and to tighten the turns with Balduin, who is my real partner in speed classes”. Third place went to Mexican rider Sara Maria Hank Gueirrero and H5 Hard to Get (30.73s).
Still in the CSI 1*, Sabine Maitrot Charmasson who won the 1m speed class with Baeleen Quid (27.85s) did a double by claiming the 1.15m speed class, this time riding Guapa-S (31.05s). Behind, Mexico’s Sara Maria Hank Guerreiro on Catokia 2 and Belgium’s Louise Castro with Etreinte were 2nd  (36.10s) and 3rd  (38.85s) respectively.
Rendezvous today for the 3rd day of competition with, as the highlight, the 1.50m CSI 5* Grand Prix.

Hubside Jumping Grimaud – Golfe de St Tropez | Photo (Holly Smith & Denver) ©Sportfot

HSJ