French in top Shape in Lyon

Friday's big hero in jumping was French: His name, Roger-Yves Bost.

The Frenchman does things his own way. It was imperative to “run fast” in order to win this Prix Generali FFE, a 1,50m table A class against the clock. That's what the silver team medallist pair from Lexington, Patrice Delaveau and Katchina Mail, did. Bosty then had to find another way and jump a wheelbarrow full of flowers which stood in a turn: “I think this is what made the difference, because otherwise I took exactly the same way as Patrice – and he was very fast.” The crowd liked it and gave the French entertainer a standing ovation. Bosty will always be Bosty!

The national anthem of Brazil celebrated the victory of Alvaro de Miranda riding AD Norson in the second class of the CSI 5* of Lyon, The Prix Rhône-Alps. It’s the sixth international victory for the 9 year-old French horse this year including three 5 star classes and a 2 star Grand Prix in France. This was a very fast speed class and in order to beat three Frenchmen, the Brazilian had to take many risks with very short turns in full speed: ”But it’s so important to win here, in one of the most prestigious event of the international circuit. It is not an easy business to win here as all the riders, the best of the world, have the same goal.”

PRIX DE LA VILLE DE LYON: PRETTY VONKA

So cute! Vonka, the bay mare of Germany's Daniel Deusser, winner of the first class on the CSI***** 2010, Prix de Lyon, is also fast horse: “I admit that she has a pretty expression. Vonka is a mare specialised for speed classes and she did her job easily today.” The stallion of the team silver medallist of Lexington, France's Olivier Guillon doesn't look so easy to ride, but Guillon is an artist and could steer Wido to a second place, 18 hundredth behind Vonka. Wido is a half brother to Vigo d'Arsouilles, the horse of Belgium's brand new World champion, Philippe Le Jeune.

On Saturday, things will get very serious in a 1,50m class with a prizemoney of 50.000€ and the Equita Masters in particular, presented by GPA, who will predominate the evening. This class will have two 1,60m rounds and will be carried out by 14 riders, namely the two best riders from seven different nations according to the world rankings.

Will Hickstead and Eric Lamaze keep the title they held in 2009?