Doda was brilliant in Paris

In the jump-off, the Brazilian Alvaro de Miranda offered himself an amazing
victory in the Prix FFE Generali, funded with 30.000 €. Nevertheless, there were 13 riders amongst 26 to qualify for the jump-off. A rate which could seem high but which illustrates the strategy of the course designer Frédéric Cottier: rise gradually in technical difficulties and in height. Nevertheless, with the use of the new fences evoking Paris and its culture, and a complicated plan, it was not a walkover. First to start at the jump-off, German Otto Becker committed three faults and had to content himself with the 11th place.

Markus Fuchs was a victim of the same errors. French Roger-Yves Bost did not succeed in pointing the stallion of Mrs Villette, Jalis de Riverland, author of five faults. In the end, six couples managed to realize a clear round. Michel Hécart and his small Itot du Château realized a course of anthology the secret of which they have. In spite of his 1m59, the “pony” as call him his fans raised the enthusiasm of the spectators. 37″73, time to beat. But Michael Whitaker (GBR) and Beat Maendli (SUI) followed him in the jump-off and were not allowed deceive, taking the head alternately.