Martin Fuchs and Conner 70 win the Rolex Grand Prix of Dinard
The 2021 edition of the International Jumping of Dinard ended on a high note with the Rolex Grand Prix, won by Martin Fuchs and Conner 70.
The 44 pairs of the CSI5* label were on the start list for this final showdown at the top on the mythical grass arena of the Val Porée stadium. The French course designer Jean-François Morand had concocted a technical course composed of 14 fences (17 jumps) on a height of 1,60m for the verticals and a width of 1,50m for the oxers.
At the end of this first round, 7 were invited to confront in the decisive final against the clock over a reduced course.
The Swiss rider Martin Fuchs, first to go in the jump off with Conner 70, signs the best time of this fiercly contested final (42’’67) et clinches victory. Placed second, the Irish Denis Lynch, associated to the powerful Cristello, with a very close time of 42’’83. In third position, the German rider Christian Ahlmann riding the grey stallion Clintrexo Z in a time of 43’’30. Placed 4th and best French rider, Kevin Staut, associated to Bulgarie d’Engandou, his partner since only four months, who crosses the finish line in a time of 44’’22.
Martin Fuchs (SUI), winner of the Rolex Grand Prix : “I am thrilled about this result, since it is the first 5*Grand Prix I ride with Conner 70, which I have been riding for only eight months. I think he is one of the best horses I ever had a chance to ride. In the warm up arena, Steve Guerdat encouraged me to give it a try, eben though I was going first. And then a few days before the show, his owner, Adolfo Juri decided to buy him in total, in order to secure his career with me. This show here is exceptionnal, with this huge grass arena, and alkl the greneery around, it is magnificent. At hoime, we also have a grasse arena to train, I think it helped me. In the coming few monts, I plan to take Conner 70 to Spruce Meadows, even if he is rfelatively green at this level, I rode only a few jump off with him. Anyway at the moment I am lucky enough to have four horses at this level in my stables.”
Denis Lynch (IRL), 2nd: “I did not come to Dinard in twenty years . I am really thrilled with my 2nd p)lace, Cristello is a fantastic horse I have been riding since the end of 2019, ans he has already been very successful. He won a Grand Prix in Saint Tropez, last year. Lately, he has been in great shape, in Paris, where he was 4th, then in Moaco, and now here. He is not only powerful but very quick and smart. From the beginning of the year, he started his career as a stllion, ans breeders are very excited about him.”
Christian Ahlmann (GER), 3rd: “Clintrexo Z was out for quite a long time, it is only his second Grand Prix of the season. I am really happy to have him back in competition. The jump off was very fast today, and the arena is quite special. The last time I came to Dinard, in 2016, I had to get Cornado II, with whom I won the Grand Prix Rolex, used to the ups and downs, which are quite unusual in 5* competitions. It is for sure one of the most beautiful shows in the world, I love it here, and the crowd is not only coming in numbers, but they are connaisseurs. I wish to thank the sponsor of the show, Rolex, for offering us a chance to ride in such beautiful events with incredible price money, as well as the organisation of this International Jumping of Dinard.”
Danièle Mars, president of the International Jumping of Dinard: “The weather forecast was ideal, and the riders’ list was exceptional, since twenty of the Top 30 in the world, including those about to fly to Tokyo to represent their nation in the Olympics, came to Dinard. In addition, our faithful public, who came in numbers, did not hesitate to submit to the health constraints imposed by the authorities in order to encourage their favorite athletes.”
www.jumpingdinard.com
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