During 9 days, the 1700 best show jumping horses from 4 to 7 years old, qualified during the 2012 season in France, competed what is actually the biggest professional event for the French equine industry of sport horses.
Separated in two phases – the first weekend dedicated to young horses ridden by amateur owners and the second one to professional riders -, the “Great Week of Fontainebleau” celebrated its 30th anniversary in front of 20,000 spectators, coming from France and Europe. The two main categories, 6 and 7 years old, have been won by Selle Français horses, Sultane des Ibis (SF) and Rhune d'Euskadi (SF). The BWP Gem Twist and Heartbreaker vd Achterhoe won respectively the 6 and 5 years male championships.
Grand Criterium SHF 6 years: speedy victory for Sultane des Ibis (SF)
Great Week of Fontainebleau 2012 ended on a high note with Grand Criterium SHF for horses 6 years. In effect, all horses carrying a course without penalty on the third stage this Sunday was qualified for the jump off, a kind of final in the final. 15 couples succeeded this performance, offering a final against the clock to the large audience in this sunny day. “It is not really a speed horse, I've never played chrono with him” Régis Bouguennec admitted, the rider of Soprano Tilenn (SF), who finished 3rd in the jump off. “I saw Hervé [Godignon, ed.] a little gallop and the others were in 41 seconds. With my first horse, I did not wanted to accelerate, but I knew my second, Sultane, was very fast, handy, and she likes it!” explained François-Xavier Boudant, winner of the class. The Norman beat Hervé Godignon, his mentor, by a whisker. Hervé has lost none of his speed in the arena and finished 2nd riding Synfony des Loges (SF).
Criterium SHF 7 years: Rhune magic of Marie Robert
4th Wednesday of the table C, tie winner of the second step, Marie Robert, with a clear round in the first round of the final stage had clearly taken an option on the final victory before the final round. And despite the achievement of Jérémy Roy, author of a clear round with his two mounts in the second round, Marie wins riding Rhune d’Euskadi (SF), in front of the young Syndie Rigaut and Guillaume Foutrier.
After three legs and four rounds of the SHF 7 years Criterium, the chestnut mare Rhune d’Euskadi (SF) ridden by Marie Robert finally won the competition although 4 faults in the last round. This daughter of Dollar du Mûrier (SF) and a mother by Jus de Pomme (BWP) ahead of another chestnut, Volonté d’Eve (sBs) associated with the young rider Syndie Rigaut. The Northerner Guillaume Foutrier finished 3rd associated to Ramses de Lavillon (SF).
«I work with the breeder of Rhune, Marc Hiriart Durruty, past three years» said the winner. This Basque breeder had been known at the World Cup Jumping of Bordeaux by offering Marcus Ehning a foal by his stallion Sandro Boy. «He is very quiet but he lives it really thoroughly. He calculates all its crosses and wants to create the basis of an important breeding. He also practices embryo transfer with Rhune.» The brother of Rhune by Diamant de Semilly (SF) also participates in Grand Criterium SHF of 6 years under the saddle of Jerome Hurel. Regarding the future of Rhune Marie Robert can be serene: her owner gave her to contract his sports career, while conducting embryo transfers according to the program each year competitions. After a great 2012 season and this victory in the SHF Criterium Rhune is going to take a little rest from its owner, with spa, before lining up at the start of the French Championships in a little less than a month.
2012 Champions
• 4 years old (mares): Undoctra d’Helby (SF), by C Indoctro (HOLST) x Quidam de Revel (SF), ridden by Jonathan Chabrol.
• 4 years old (males/geldings): Urvil d’Helby (OC), by Kouros d’Helby (SF), ridden by Manuel Thiry.
• 5 years old (mares): Tallyne de la Pomme (SF), by Parco (BWP) x For Pleasure (HAN), ridden by Julie Gadal.
• 5 years old (males/geldings): Heartbreaker vd Achterhoe (BW), by Bentley vd Heffinck (BWP) x Catango Z (HOLST), ridden by Régis Bouguennec.
• 6 years old (mares): ex aequo Stella Lyght (SF), by Kannan (KWPN) x Gun du Mesnil Dan (SF) and Sultane des Ibis (SF), by Quidam de Revel (SF) x Elan de la Cour (SF), both ridden by François-Xavier Boudant.
• 6 years old (males/geldings): Gem Twist (BWP), by Nonstop (BWP) x Quidam de Revel (SF), ridden by Régis Bouguennec.
• Grand Criterium SHF 6 years (Grand Prix with a jump off): Sultane des Ibis (SF).