Florian Angot beats Pessoa in Paris GP

Following their brilliant victory in last year’s Grand Prix at CSI 4* Paris, Florian Angot and First de Launay HN won the Grand Prix at the very first CSI 5* Paris.

Largely applauded by the huge crowd, they were in pole position in the jump off and went for a clear round. The nail-biting suspense lasted until the last combination in the arena, Rodrigo Pessoa on Oasis, had completed their round. Victory was very tight indeed: the Brazilian came in only four tenths of a second behind Florian. “In this jump off, I was most of all afraid of the two last riders: Eugénie [Angot], my sister-in-law, and Rodrigo. It was a win-or-lose situation. I never stopped to make First work and urge him to go on. He likes taking sharp turns upon landing and is particularly good at that,” the Normandy-born rider explained. Another popular combination, Jessica Kürten and Castle Forbes Libertina are in third position.

One had to be a skilful pilot to get over the difficulties of International Course Designer Serge Houtmann’s courses. “There will be surprises, especially towards the end,” he had warned before the Grand Prix, highlight of this year’s CSI 5* Paris. It took place this afternoon in Hall 4 of the Paris Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre and was a tough one indeed. There were two falls, which is rather rare at this level of competition. The course was not particularly big but called for much concentration from beginning to end. What could seem as especially technical fences – the triple combination at 7 consisting of two oxers at each end as well as the double at 10 – did not cause many difficulties. It was a different story for the simples and especially number 12.

Results (03.12.06)

CSI5* Paris
Grand Prix MBDA – AM5 – 1,60m

1º Florian Angot (Fra) / First de Launay / 0/0-36,4
2º Rodrigo Pessoa (Bra) / Oasis / 0/0-36,5
3º Jessica Kuerten (Irl) / Libertina / 0/0-37,48
4º Steve Guerdat (Sui) / Jalisca Solier / 0/4-37,33
5º Eugenie Angot (Fra) / Cigale Du Taillis / 0/4-37,44
6º Daniel Deusser (Ale) / Upsilon d´Ocquier / 0/4-37,6
7º Albert Zoer (Hol) / Okidoki / 0/4-49,19
8º Cassio Rivetti (Bra) / Olona / 0/16-57,92
9º Jeroen Dubbeldam (Hol) / Up And Down / 1-86,35
10º Edwina Alexander (Aus) / Pialotta / 4-80,37

Check the results.