With two rails down, Eduardo Menezes and H5 Quintol had to give up with their dream of victory. Olivier Robert and Vangog du Mas Grenier had one rail down, like Doron Kuipers and Charley, as well as Gregory Wathelet and Iron Man Van de Padenborre. For them, the dream of writing their name on the record of the Grand Prix Longines of the City of La Baule was over. Amy Inglis was the first to sign a double clear round with Wishes in 48,84 seconds (for a time allowed of 50 seconds). But the world number one, Steve Guerdat, riding his faithful Albfuehren’s Bianca, managed to clear as well and stopped the clock at 43,82 seconds. Darragh Kenny with Important de Muze and Simone Blum with DSP Alice were the last two to go. The first pair closed in 43,90 seconds; the second, the current world champion, cleared the course as well in a faster time of 43,33 seconds.

Simone Blum (GER) and DSP Alice clinched the victory in the Grand Prix Longines of the City of La Baule in front of Steve Guerdat (SWI) and Albfuehren’s Bianca. Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Important de Muze finished third. The best French placement was for Olivier Robert and Vangog du Mas Grenier who closed in sixth. For the record, the last female victory in the Grand Prix Longines of the City of La Baule dates back to 2002 with Angélique Hoorn (NED) and Hascal.

Results: https://labaule-cheval.com/en/event/schedule/sunday-19-may/competition-15/

They said:

Rémi Cléro, President of the Longines International Jumping of La Baule: «It is an honour, Simone, to have you here for this 59th edition along with your world champion title. Thank you so much for the great show you offered us and congratulations to Steve for the support he gives every year to this show, and to the sport. Thank you also, Frédéric [Cottier], for designing all the courses, among which the one of the Grand Prix Longines of the City of La Baule, offered this week end an amazing scenario with always more innovation.»

Yves Métaireau, Mayor of the City of La Baule: «My congratulations to Simone Blum who rode a magnificent round; it was not that easy. Time was important. Over the past 25 years, I am delighted to see that this show has constantly improved, that we have so much success with almost 20,000 visitors every day. This organisation, run professionally and on a controled budget, is a real success. You have to know that the City of La Baule invested a lot in the facilities. I will not be here next year, or at least not at this position to celebrate the 60th edition, but I am delighted to see that everything that has been invested serves the sport and the world equestrian sports.»

Frédéric Cottier (FRA), course designer: «At the seventh rider, I already had two clear rounds, and one rider with one point, this is sport, the scenario is never fully written. We are always a little worried to imagine there will too much or not enough clear rounds.We end up with eight clears, with fantastic riders and horses. The green double combination n°11 played its role since the distance forced the riders to bring the horses back and especially because the colour, green over green, was important. In a rider’s head, you need very little to find the course difficult, it often depends on the previous rides. Anyway,we have the world champion and the world number one on the podium, there is nothing else to say. Alice, Simone’s mare, was already my favorite at the 2018 World Equestrian Games infact, I wanted to buy her in Italy three years ago when she was competing in a 3*; she was right to keep her.»

Simone Blum (GER), winner of the Grand Prix Longines of the City of La Baule: «I am very proud to be here, it is the first time I live the CSIO5* as a competitior and it is an exceptionnal experience. It is like the French version of Aachen! Of Course, for this season, it is the first show on grass with a very enthusiastic public. The first round has just been perfect, and I thought Steve would win in the jump-off, but in the end Alice was the best today.» Steve Guerdat, 2nd of the Grand Prix Longines of the City ofLa Baule: «First I want to say that I was happy to be here with my three horses, it is fantastic to be in La Baule. It is a wonderful show with a great public, my only regret is that this show does not last long enough in the end. We have great pleasure to be here, and this is the type of shows we would like to have every week end. Thank you to the organisers, to those we support them,but what I am the most delighted about is that my mare does a double clear round in the Grand Prix.»

RESULTS: https://labaule-cheval.com/evenement/programme/

PRESS CONTACT: Véronique Gauthier–Agence Consulis

By IHP Edited Longines International Jumping of La Baule Press Release