For the second time since the construction of the “Domaine Equestre des Grands Pins”, the center of equestrian sports in Vidauban, managed by both jumping and dressage rider Bernadette Brune, hosted the international elite.
Four days of dressage at the highest level located within pine trees and vineyards.
The dressage tests reached their first highlight with the Grand Prix on Thursday.
Winner of this competition was Stefan van Ingelgem from Belgium on Whitney van't Genthorf with a result of 67,957%, followed by the US-American rider Catherine Haddad (Cadillac / 67,617%) and the French Champion Marc Boblet (Whitney Star / 67,277%).
After her strong performance on the previous day the American rider Catherine Haddad went on to win the Grand Prix Special (70,625%) on Friday, followed by Marc Boblet on Whitney Star (67,042%), followed by the Dutch rider Kebie van der Heijden on Toy Story (65,333%) in third place.
Saturday evening featured the Grand Prix Freestyle competition, the stunning climax for all dressage riders and spectators. In this breathtaking final under the moonlit skies of the Provence, the best of the best once again faced the verdict of the international judges: the creative performances at highest technical level resembled an elegant dance of the horses with their riders.
Winner of the Freestyle with an excellent performance was the French rider Hubert
Perring, reaching 71.5% with Diabolo Saint Maurice, just ahead of Wayne Channon (Lorenzo CH / 71.20%) from GB and Portuguese rider Daniel Pinto (Galopin de la Font / 70.55%), representing the stud of Sylvain Massa from Les Arcs-sur-Argens.