Release date: 22/07/2011 |    

Above: Winning combination Venezuelen Pablo Barrios riding G & C Quick Star

Prix France Galop  1.50m

While mother nature doled out more wet weather in the afternoon most didn’t let it dampen the jumping activities.

The day was completed with a very strongly contested 1.50m one round competition.  It was definitely no gallop for the 50 strong contenders.

Riders were in no doubt that they were going to have to work very hard to win this class.

Brazilian Alvaro de Miranda Neto, (Doda) who rode mid field posted a very quick time on his young Grand Prix horse, the 8 year old AD Wilbert Z (66.96) and was not caught until the second last to go Pablo Barrios (VEN).

Barrios riding G & C Quick Star II (above) had carefully orchestrated his ride as commented after the class. “I had a really good spot or draw in the class so I had the opportunity to see a lot of riders go.  I watched Doda’s round very closely and the track he was taking. I followed that track and knew I had to be just a bit quicker over the ground and I would be able to beat him.”

All went as planned as Barrios came home quicker in a time of 66.34.

Although pipped at the post Dodo was very happy with his round. “He is a very good horse and is jumping very consistently at the moment.  He placed three times in Aachen last week and I rode him in the Grand Prix in Estoril.  I will not ride him tomorrow in the Grand Prix, as he is a bit young to push too fast at this stage.  Instead I will start AD Norson in the Grand Prix of Chantilly.”

Dutch rider Leopold van Asten (above) was their closest rival for 3^rd place with VDL Amelia (68.08).  This combination won the 1.45m event on the final day of competition at the Global Champions Tour in Estoril two weeks prior.

Harrie Smolders (NED), who had set a good time earlier in the class with Regina Z, was pleased with the 4^th place commenting, “I knew the footing was a bit slippery and that I may have to add in the turns and hold her up a bit.  She was very good on the straight and luckily a very confident horse and secure mentally in most conditions. She gives you a good feeling and this has given us a positive lead in to tomorrow’s Grand Prix.

Adding his thoughts on the surface Harrie said, “I hope it doesn’t rain tonight.  I am not an expert on arenas but the grass could have perhaps been cut a little shorter with this wet weather as the studs don’t really work now.”

Studs and umbrellas are the call for tomorrow as the forecast is for more showers. However, it has not kept the spectators away. They are enjoying the two arenas of top class show jumping with the best world riders.  The Grand Prix of Chantilly, France is set to take place on Saturday 23^rd July at 15h30 .

Presentation: Left to right. Edouard de Rothschild (President de France Galop), Pabloa Barrios and Quick Star, Claude Gewerc (President of the Picardie Regional Council) and Gerard Manzinali (President of Jumping Chantilly)

Photo credits: Stefano Grasso/GCT