Jumping International de Megève, Simon Delestre reigning champion in Megève

7 days of competition, 22 nations and a big class at stake: the 1.55m Grand Prix de Megève – Edmond de Rothschild gathering the 60 best riders at this Alpine show for a final 2 round challenge.Counting towards the World rankings list and carrying a 60,000 euros purse, they all had a common objective, defeat the World n°14 and the winner here in 2017, Simon Delestre, who returned here to defend his title with the talented Chesall Zimequest. « I’m delighted to be back at Megève. It’s a show that I particularly appreciate, the organisers do a great job and I know the resort well as it was here that I learnt to ski (he smiled). This 3* show has given me the opportunity to bring less experienced horses and the possibility try a few different things. »Amongst the favourites, were also Julien Gonin and Well Done, top of the leader board in the 1.50m Prix Hôtel Four Season on Friday and Olivier Perreau, winner in the technically difficult 1.45m Prix des Fermes de Marie yesterday and who had the difficult task of opening today riding Dolce Deceuninck. Despite a good start, the pair faulted at n°10 and at the first part of the double (n°13), the last jump in a fatal last line”. Julien Gonin said whilst walking the course « The course is well drawn, nice to ride, there aren’t any traps but a number of subtle questions. The line between 4/5 next to the restaurants, opposite the big screen and the VIP area will be the first real test as the horses will have a tendency to back off, the triple built in the colours of Edmond de Rothschild, a 2 stride, 1 stride oxer-vertical-oxer shouldn’tcause any real problems whilst n°8, a very narrow red vertical constructed using flat cups risks causing faults. In my opinion, the decider will be the last line, n°12 – n°13, coming out of a corner and beside the stands. After the blue-white-red oxer, riders will have to decide between 4 big strides or really shorten up for 5 before the double of verticals with one stride between them ». 17th to go, France’s Alexa Ferrer, was the first to find the key to successfully riding Grégory Bodo’s course, crossing the finish line in the time (74’’97). Before her, Pierre Alain Mortier had no jumping faults but a few hundredths of a second outside the time allowed meant he left the arena with a time fault. It wasn’t until n°34, Raphael Goehrs with Victorio des Frotards, that a second clear round was seen, in the time of 75’’58. 3 others clears joined them, Jean-Luc Mourier/Souviens Toi Lariviera (73’’62), Simon Delestre/Chesall Zimequest (72’’68) and Olivier Guillon/ Vitot du Château (71’’87) who, with unsettling ease, flew round this first leg. Fifteen returned after the interval ready to battle over the last six jump (7 effort) round. Those who already had 4 points on their score cards didn’t hesitate to pull out all the stops in order to try and climb in the final placings. This was indeed the case for Sweden’s Charlotte MCauley, already ultra fast in the first leg, who by not touching a pole rose into 5th place. Starting with 1 time fault on his score card, Pierre-Alain Mortier chose another strategy: that of trying for a careful clear round. A winning bet as he climbed into 3rd place in front of Jean-Luc Mourier who had the fastest time but collected 1 fault. At the end of a breathtaking round, Raphael Goehrs stopped the clock at 36’’25 and seemed set for victory but there were still two of the very best to come, Simon Delestre and Olivier Guillon. The first, partnering his 5* ride, carried by a public very much on his side, increased the cadence and didn’t hesitate to further cut the corners without the slightest wavering from a perfectly tuned Chesall. An incredible time of 36’’19, and Olivier Guillon’s 4 points, gave him a superb second Grand Prix de Megève – Edmond de Rothschild win. A historical double at the Megève event and a title that the athlete will be willingly coming to defend in 2019. Following on from the high point of the weekend, another big class, the 1.40m Grand Prix Boan Immobilier which was open to the leading riders in the CSI1*. As usual, Gregory Bodo served up a technical and testing class to the 31 pairs in the wings, where questions were again, as in the CSI3*, scattered throughout the course. If there were faults at every jump, the triple and the final vertical opposite the VIP area fell often, leaving even some of the very best, like Claire Fontanel, at the wayside. Only one managed to finish faultless, the very last candidate to canter across the Megève ring in 2018, Italy’s Lorenzo Bertolucci and his excellent Tachina de Beaufour, a former ride of Julien Gonin. This evening saw Michel Robert’s pupil scoring one of his best wins in his young career. Finishing with 2 points, Adrien Godard and Tip Top des Tess were second and in front of the youngest in the class, Alice Xhemal (4 points) with Aiti. The young woman performed with regularity throughout the CSI1* and was awarded the CWD Challenge prize.First class of the day, the Prix Cœur Vanessa, saw 52 pairs competing in a 1.40m speed class. Jean-Luc Mourier, as  much at ease in the Megève ring as he would be in a playground, claimed his third win this weekend. Riding UmourBuxeen, he finished his round in 58’’11 followed by two other home nation competitors, Olivier Perreau/Atwood des Félines (58’’92), and Guillaume Batillat/Valeo des Aulnes (59’’03). A long-standing partner of “Cœur Vanessa” who raise funds to support the fight against cancer, the show places importance on supporting this cause throughout the event. This year, the Vanille Fraise association was also present with the aim of raising awareness about a syndrome called Sturge-Weber.Behind and just before the Grand Prix, spectators enjoyed the “Prix Département de la Haute-Savoie” which saw teams comprised of a professional CSI3* rider, a young person on a ony and a child on a shetland competing in a relay class. Over three separate courses at suitable heights, the 4 teams taking part didn’t fail to create push the atmosphere up a notch. Finally, the team of Olivier Guillon, Leeloo and Corantin dominated, supported by their numerous fans around the ring.Yet again Megève en Selle, the organisers, will have won their wager, that of offering riders and spectators alike anevent which is as much sporting as festive where the top level and first-class performances brilliantly match a holiday atmosphere, at the foot of one of the most beautiful French mountains. A repeat edition in 2019 is already eagerly awaited by all.Source: Jumping International de Megève Press ReleasePhoto: Simon Delestre FRA Chesall Zimequest – credits Nicolas Hodys