Bosty, Eppailard, Tobias and Angelica the stars in Paris

An international show jumping competition would not be a true one without a victory from the French Roger-Yves Bost (the world-renowned “Bosty”). This he achieved today with Nikyta d’Elle in the Prix GL events.

A rider’s reaction after a victory is nearly always the same: “It’s important to win in Paris, especially in a competition like the Prix GL events. And winning underneath the glass roof of the Grand Palais is even more fabulous.” To win this class (against the clock) was not easy with a visibly difficult course that resulted in faults for many other riders: “Altogether, it was a very technical class with challenging heights (1.50m) that required agile horses in the arena. My mare is very careful and resilient. Yet today, I was pleasantly surprised that we managed to keep our position until the end, as we were number five on the start list. The mare had not competed indoors for a while and after a slight moment of uneasiness yesterday, she was perfect today.”

LES TALENTS HERMÉS – TOBIA'S DREAM (16/4)

Of all the stars that the German team came to the Grand Palais with, it was the youngest amongst them who first earned the honour of hearing the German national anthem underneath the glass roof. Today, Tobias Meyer was living the dream.

The 22-year-old Bavarian has been a professional rider for two and a half years, supported by the Puschak family that entrusted him with today’s winner Aluta, a 10-year-old mare. “She’s a horse with many successes under her belt at Grand Prix level. It was my dream to compete here, but to win was even more amazing.” The victory not only pleased the group of German experts, but also world number 5, Pius Schwizer: “He is a sort of mentor to me. I admire his riding style and he often gives me advice during competitions. Today, he coached me and arranged the fences in the paddock. I really appreciated his help.” Young Tobias had stars in his eyes and would not stop repeating: “I’m living the dream, I’m living the dream!”

PRIX DU GRAND PALAIS – VICTORY FOR JULIEN EPAILLARD (15/03)

French victory with Julien Epaillard in the Prix du Grand Palais, a class in two phases. The time was only counted on the last four obstacles of the course and it’s in this final part that the Norman rider had to take a few risks.

Mister Davier is the same horse that Julien Epaillard is going to ride on Sunday in the Grand Prix. It’s always quite daring to speed on the very first day. The pace can get to the horse’s head: “He’s just getting out of a break and thus he hasn’t been jumping since Vigo in February. I therefore don’t estimate him to be 100% ready for the Grand Prix and I told myself that I could try to win today. On top of that, the phase against the clock concerned but the last four obstacles with a single acceleration phase, so I don’t think I will lose so much in terms of control.”

Julien is one of the first riders to have experimented the Talaris saddle, the latest creation of the Hermès Saddle Workshops. This victory’s secret? “It definitely is a very flexible saddle with a carbon saddle tree. It adapts to the horse’s back as this saddle has been custom made for Mister Davier. The Hermès saddle makers came to my house, mainly to adapt the foam pannels to the shape of my horse. Today, we pay a lot more attention to the comfort of the horse as well as the rider’s.” No wonder Mister Davier was so at ease in the Grand Palais this afternoon!

LES TALENTS HERMÉS – ANGELICA AUGUSTSSON A RISING STAR (15/03)

The winner of the first Hermès Talents (riders under the age of 25) is 23-year-old Angelica Augustsson (SWE). Ever since her victory in the World Cup last February in Göteborg with Midtown du Tillard, she can no longer be considered fameless.

The success has not really disorganized the professional path of the young rider, though: “Of course the media have been very interested in me after this victory, but after things had gone back to the daily routine, the work remained the same, I have not modified my plan. If I keep up the success and if I am frequently successful, I was told that I could be part of the Swedish team.”

Thus her victory in the Hermès Talents is not a big surprise, as Angelica was the most “titled” one among the fourteen young talents. She enjoys her victory: “It’s incredible to ride in this space, in the middle of Paris… it’s a very special feeling.” Walter 61, the horse she’s riding in the Grand Palais, is not the one she is successful with on Swedish ground: “Midtown du Tillard is at home, resting.” In Sweden? “No, in Germany, in the stables where I’ve been working as a professional rider for four and a half years now.” It is not only possible to rely on talent in this sport: Experience as well as hard work play an essential role!