Arthur da Silva (SUI) tops the first qualifier at Vichy
After a 10 horses jump off, Swiss rider Arthur Da Silva wins the first qualifier for the Sunday Grand Prix riding Qui Vive de la Tour. In the 1,40m class, the victory went to the French rider Yohann Mignet, just few seconds before Niall Talbot (IRL).
Aletti Palace Hotel Trophy: Arthur Da Silva (SUI) wins and qualifies for the Grand Prix!
Friday afternoon took place the first qualifier for the Sunday Grand Prix, according to Table A with one jump off. They were initially 64 to start for only 30 seats, the top 30 of this class which could tonight already focus on the main goal of the weekend.
If Gregory Cottard missed for few hundredths its qualification for the jump off, next on the arena Patrice Delaveau was the first out smoothly of a course that had only selected 10 couples. The French Norman rider did not renew its performance and its finally Frederic David (FRA), in the saddle of Equador van't Roosakker, who signed the first double clear. But six of the remaining eight to go improved his time, relegating him to the seventh place finish.
Arthur Da Silva (SUI) adjusted curves and led his mare Qui Vive de la Tour below 40 seconds (39'' 63).
“It's been a year since I ride her” he said, “She starts the big classes this year and we have good results, third in the Grand Prix of Linz in Austria, the seventh of a Grand Prix qualifier for the Swiss Championships. Today, we chose to put her in this class and here we come!”. We'll obviously find the couple in the Sunday Grand Prix. “This is the first time I come here. I heard it was a great show, and when I saw the ground, I had confirmation.” Reputedly the fastest, the current French Champion Michel Hécart finished 59/100 slower than Arthur, riding his excellent Piman de la Deviniere.
Hotel Le Parc Rive Gauche Trophy (1,40m): Yohann Mignet faster!
They were finally 44 trying to get another ranking on this first evening. Judged under 2 phases (the 2nd against the clock), this Hotel Le Parc Rive Gauche could have crowned Arthur Da Silva (SUI) once again if the French rider Yohann Mignet hadn't been really faster than anybody, riding Messidor St Pierre. Niall Talbot finished 2nd, just before French amazon Pauline Guignery.
CSIYH SHF Future Elite – Madame fait ses sacsTrophy: Gregory Cottard & Philippe Rozier in the lead
Horses of 6 and 7 years old today were competing in their second round against the clock. Already clear yesterday, Gregory Cottard and Thelastdance des Elfs have this time won in the classes reserved for six years with more than a second ahead of Italian Massimo Grossato riding Cenwood delle Lame (which were themselves also without penalty yesterday). This day rather smiled as Gregory also ranks fourth with his second mount Team du Temple.
The scenario was repeated in the class dedicated to 7 years. Off the course without any bar on the ground yesterday, Philippe Rozier and his gray stallion Story de Preuilly renewed their performance. Again, more than a second ahead allows them to outdistance another French rider, Michel Hécart, with Bingo de la Roque. Philippe Rozier also finished eighth with Shangri La, while the Brazilian Marlon Modolo Zanotelli finished third on Sacripan La Chapelle.
All these horses will meet tomorrow Saturday, July 13 at 8:30 am for the Grand Prix which is reserved for them, under the partnership of Champagne Nanet.
Veterans: another victory for Michel Brand (SUI)!
Swiss Michel Brand added a win to his record by winning the CWD Trophy (1.10 m) still riding his mare Candice IV, and has been the only one to finish without penalty. The couple obviously will start as favorite in the Sunday Grand Prix. Monique Delmas (FRA) took second place with WM R Risky Business. In the class at 1.15 m, a French quartet won the first four places. Once again, only one rider was clear: Jean-Michel Lang with Liguetti Subito. Veterans enjoy the pleasure of spending a sunny day in Vichy and its surroundings as Saturday will be a rest day, before finishing in style with the Grand Prix on Sunday morning.