A mythical site, dazzling decorations, flawless organization by the Mars family, generous and faithful partners, a dream start list, great sport and a large, enthusiastic audience: the 10th Jumping International de Dinard has once again lived up to all its promises, with eyes of thousands of spectators riveted on the mythical main grass arena, where the finals of the 1, 3 and 5* circuits were held, culminating in the Grand Prix Rolex Ville de Dinard, won by the Austrian Max Kühner and Elektric Blue P in thrilling jump-off.
CSI1*, Victory goes to Mexico again
After competing in eight classes over heights ranging from 1.10m to 1.35m, the most experienced 1* riders, representing twelve nations, took up the challenge to shine over 1.40m fences in the Grand Prix de la Laiterie Montaigu, loyal partner of the event and sponsor of Team LM, made up of Philippe Rozier, Julien Gonin, Benjamin Aillaud and Yoann di Stefano. Of the 36 couples competing on the course designed by Jean-François Morand, 9 were selected for the jump-off. As in 2022, victory went to Mexico, thanks to 18-year-old student Federica Fernandez, who crossed the finish line in 52”74 on Selle Français VIP (Berlin), her most recent partner to whom she paid tribute, a fraction of a second faster than Rudy Cock (52”76), riding Funky Boy des Saules, owned by Guillaume Canet.
CSI3*, Mathieu Bourdon pulls out victory with Exquise de Ouistreham
To conclude the four days of competition, and the six events open their category, including the Derby de Bretagne, the 47 couples in the 3* level faced off in the Grand Prix de l’Hôtel Barrière at 1.50m. The initial round proposed by Jean Philippe Desmaret was anything but a formality! Although many of the competitors were also at the start of the CSI5* classes, only five of them were called upon to compete in a seven fences jump-off. As expected, the determination of the happy fews was equal to the stakes: the generous prize money of 52,600 euros, plus points in the world ranking, as in all international events with a minimum prize money of 24,500 euros. In this decisive phase, Mathieu Bourdon, 31, signed the fastest of the four clear rounds (44’64) riding Exquise de Ouistreham, a French saddle horse mare aged just 9, a daughter of Jarnac and Riva de Ouistreham by Paladin des Ifs, born at David Aissa’s in Ouistreham (14), who joined his stables in Fougères (35) a year ago. He was nearly a second ahead of American Heather and Caristo Williams and Marcianao MVF, followed by Nicolas Layec with Bulgaria d’Engandou, while Robin Lesqueren ranks Daouen du Morio in 4th place. The winner, who has never missed an edition of Jumping de Dinard since 2015, explains. “I’ve always had a crush on Exquise, which I convinced some investors to acquire, so I took the time to know her. This victory represents the culmination of a year’s of work. She’s a little bombshell with a lot of character. I have to give her the impression that she’s the one making the decision, but I have a real relationship with her, and I know she’ll give 300% to do the best she can. I always enjoy riding on this hilly grass track, which is one of the most beautiful in the world, along with Aachen (GER) and Spruce Meadows (CAN). Being supported by the public from early morning is very moving for us. On the program for the couple, the CSI3* in Saint Lô, followed by a well-deserved rest.
CSI5* Grand Prix Rolex – Ville de Dinard, Max Kühner (AUT), winner with style
The best riders of the moment had four chances to prepare their leading mounts for the final confrontation of the Grand Prix over 1.60m offered by the Swiss watchmaker Rolex and the City of Dinard, endowed with 500,000 euros. Of the forty couples on the start list started, 15 managed to cross the finish line without penalties, and met again for the outcome of this breathtaking summit meeting. Following Rodrigo Pessoa/Major Tom’s opening clear round, Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam/James Kann Cruz immediately responded, shaving almost two seconds off the time and taking the lead with a time of 43’22, despite the best efforts of the two-time 2021 and 2022 title-holder Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei, who succeeded him. Although also clear as well, Mégane Moissonnier/Cordial, Kevin Staut/Beau de Laubry Z (FRA), Gregory Wathelet/Bond Jamesbond de Hay, Nicola Phillippaerts/Katanga V/H Dingenshof, Gilles Thomas/Luna Van Het Dennehof (BEL), Michael Pender/HHS Los Angeles (IRL), failed to dethrone the Irishman. It wasn’t until Austrian Max Kühner and Elektric Blue P took 12th place that the course ran smoothly and the time fell to 41’73, a new benchmark score synonymous with victory for the Austrian, who won this 2023 edition of the Grand Prix Rolex-Ville de Dinard in style with his 12- year-old bay German gelding, Electrik Blue P, a son of Eldorado VD Zeshoek and French Kiss by For Pleasure. Shane Sweetnam and Martin Fuchs join him on the podium, while Kevin Staut, 6th and best Frenchman, is rewarded by the Institut Esthederm.
Concluding this prestigious event, Danièle Mars, president of the competition, thanked all those involved, and confirmed that the 2024 edition would be held from July 18 to 21, just a few days before the opening of the Olympic Games.
Timetable and results on https://results.worldsporttiming.com/event/158
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