Starting day for the 4th edition of the Jumping International de Valence

The Jumping International de Valence has started stunningly with one of the best head list an international show jumping competition could dream of: Olivier Robert, the actual French Champion, Roger-Yves Bost, Olympic Champion in Rio, Simon Delestre, bronze medallist at the European Championship in 2015, Kent Farrignton, ex World No.1 and winner of the 2017 Grand Prix 5* of the Jumping International de Valence, Eric Lamaze, Olympic Champion in 2008, not to mention the two riders from Haras des Grillons Sadri Fegaier and Carlos Lopez.The opening CSI4* class, a 1.45m against the clock, offered a breathtaking show for the crowd. Its winner, Harold Boisset, riding T’obetty du Domaine, quickly took the provisional first place right at the beginning of the class with a stunning clear round and didn’t let anyone steal his spot. Wearing the number 4, the French rider impressed everyone with a record time of 62.54 seconds. “I am delighted, my horse jumped extremely well. She’s usually a fast mare, but I felt that she was jumping good, so I speed her up. In order to manage a time like this, I got a bit of luck too!“On the second step of the podium, we can find one of the best tricolour riders, and not the least, Roger-Yves Bost. Known for being one of the fastest pilot of the international circuit, the Olympic Champion of Rio didn’t manage to catch up with his competitor, finishing in 64.25 seconds riding Castleforbes Talitha. At the third place, the Austrian Max Kühner and Electric Touch with a round in a time of 64.46 seconds.The French hymn La Marseillaise was heard in two out of the three CSI2* classes. The Swiss Frédérique Fabre-Delbos took the leading place of the first class. However, the French riders caught up quickly on the other two classes: The Prix Dauphiné Libéré – Haras des Grillons and the Prix HUBSIDE, respectively won by Olivier Perreau and Romain Lavigne. During this first day of competition, the crowd was already there to support the riders, enjoying the free gallery and Exhibitors’ Village.On Friday, riders will compete in five classes: three counting for the CSI2* and two for the CSI4*, including a 1.50m with jump-off (Prix SFAM). Source: Press Release Jumping International de Valence RBPressePhoto: Courtesy of RBPresse