Saturday, time for finals and for the Tropicana Derby

The International Jumping of Dinard today devoted the young horses of 7 years old and some couples of the CSI 1 * who played today their final. If the only CSI 5 * event marked the spirits, it is the spectacular Tropicana Derby (CSI 3 *) that ignited the public…
CSI 3* : French podium in the Tropicana Derby of Dinard
The podium of this 2018 edition is exclusively French, thanks the World reserve champion, Patrice Delaveau riding Vestale de Mazure HDC, to Margaux Rocuet, the rider from Britanny associated to a mare bred by her family, and Emeric George, who was riding Atomic Bombe, the daughter of his eventing mare, Petite Bombe.
The mythical Tropicana Derby, which offers a combination of traditional and natural fences over a particularly long distance of 1100m is by far the most spectacular class of the International Jumping of Dinard. This year, since the organizer had decided to give a 3* label to the class (instead of the previous 5*), the number of pairs on the start list has more than doubled. 23 riders were determined to write their name on the record of the famous Tropicana Derby of Dinard.
The unusual number of jumping efforts (29), and the alternation of mounds, water jumps, rivers, walls, banks, but also 1m45 high double and triple combinations, oxers and verticals, attract every year a huge and enthusiastic crowd. As usual, the spectators had not stopped walking into the stadium from the beginning of the afternoon. One more time, they showed their passion for the Derby, and the Jumping of Dinard as a whole, encouraging the riders from all nations, and quivering with their idols, among which several riders from Brittany.
Only the rider from Normandy, Patrice Delaveau, riding Vestale de Mazure HDC managed to clear the course, in a time of 169’’76, and clinches victory. The winner had prepared his mare, who usually competes in 1m45 or 1m50 classes, to take part in her first Derby. « That kind of effort requires endurance. It was my target whit her, she fullfilled her objective. »
The 25 year-old rider from Brittany, Margaux Rocuet, takes a superb 2nd place. The young champion, who had carefully prepared for this Derby, was only penalised with one penalty point for her 177’’77. « My mare has been incredible. She did not ask herself any question. Along the course, she was more and more comfortable. » Six years ago, Margaux had won this same Derby with Lagune de Kreisker.
The 3rd place goes to Emeric Georges. The pair leaves a pole on the ground but signs the fastest time of the competition,169’’34. « I had competed in that Derby once with a less experienced horse, but it allowed me to avoid some mistakes. Atomic has an eventing genetic, she has fun doing that type of classes, I had trained her specially, she competed in Le Touquet and La Baule Derbies. She has no apprehension over natural fences and thanks to her energy, I can keep a good quality jump until the end. »

CSI 5* : Very Good, Mr. Pius!
In the Grand Prix of the Bretagne county council, very last confrontation at this level before the Rolex Grand Prix of Dinard held tomorrow, the riders had to clear the course, and be as quick as possible.
Eight of the 33 pairs engaged in this class clear the course, but the Swiss rider Pius Schwizer, riding his beautiful grey Selle Français stallion, Very Good de la Bonn (a son of Berlin), wins with style in a time of 71’’69. « It is a very good day for me » declared the Swiss rider who had already the national anthem played this morning in the 7 year-old final he won with La Roshel. « I have been riding him only for a month, it is an excellent horse. » Steve Guerdat, 2012 Olympic champion, brings his country and the French breeding in the highlight as well, when he clinches the 2nd position with his Selle Français mare, Ulysse des Forêts, in a time of 72’’38. « One can always be faster said the rider, but I don’t like to reduce the number of strides on arenas like this. It is a very satisfying result for an intermediate class. » The young French Edward Levy, associated to Rebecca LS, places 3rd in 72’’89. « I am super happy with my mare, she jumped fantastic, she is a real genius. I have been riding her only for three and a half month, and she belongs to Brianne Goutal, with whom I have a very close professional relationship. I am even happier every time she performs, which is often the case. »

CSI YH: 7 year-old horses, and the winner is…
The Elevage d’Helby-Lamotte Promotion Grand Prix allowed the best 7 year-old horses to confirm their quality on a final round over 1m40 fences. The best of this 2018 generation, La Roshel, ridden by the Swiss star rider Pius Schwizer, signs the best time of the jump-off , 39’’18, while his direct opponent, the very promising grey stallion Le Coultre de Muze, guided by the team Olympic champion Philippe Rozier, clinches 2nd place in 43’’57. The third position goes to Loeki Van Het Lindehof, under the saddle of the British rider Tim Wilks. They cross the finish line in 44’’52.

CSI 1*: Finals’day
For most of the riders of the CSI1 *, this Saturday was the time to fight in the finals of their respective competitions.
In the Royal Emeraude class, over 1m35, the winner’s ribbon goes to Antoine de Ponnat, riding Ravel du Granit, who stops the clock at 71’’25, almost 6 seconds faster than his fellow citizen Marie Eugénie Angles/Ultramarine (77’’77), while the Swiss rider Olivier Meyer/Idifix Vd Molendreef clinches the 3rd place in 78’’52.
The Institut Esthederm Grand Prix, which brought together 22 finalists over a 1m15 course, is won by the French Noémie de Beaumais, en selle sur Armoise du Guilly, who signs a double clear round in the fastest time (40’’37) in a jump-off of 7 riders. Serbia clinches the silver medal when Dejan Krunic, associated to Mira DKS, crosses the finish line in 47’’72, but without pushing a single pole down. Caroline Baudry brings France in the highlight with her 3rd place associated to Athina Larquey, despite 4 faults in 39’’67.
The Grand Hôtel Barrière Grand Prix gathered 29 pretendants to the 2018 title over a 1m25 high course. In the jump-off, with only three riders, the Swiss rider Alexandra Amar gets the best out of her mare Aldaina du Val Henry and clinches victory in a time of 41’’15. She stands ahead of the British Stacey Willsone, riding Newton Nickel, who clears as well in 42’’33. The 3rd position is French, thanks to Jade Pinchard and Quintana Class, in spite of their 4 faults.
 
 
Complete results on https://www.worldsporttiming.com/results/jumping-international-de-dinard-2018-199/schedule.html
To download the free Highlights :
http://transfert.datanaute.com/evs-dinard-2018/
French TV and Press
Véronique GAUTHIER