LONGINES EQUITA LYON, CONCOURS HIPPIQUE INTERNATIONAL LONGINES FEI WORLD CUP JUMPING GRAND PRIX OLIVIER PERREAU WINS AT HOME

The Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Grand Prix – the flagship event of the Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International – kept the 7,000 spectators in the grandstand around International Arena on the edge of their seats. The audience in Lyon were treated to a thrilling afternoon of show-jumping, and held their breath during the intense jump-off, before finally exploding with joy at the victory of the GL events' partner rider Olivier Perreau. To top it all, two other French riders, Julien Epaillard and the young Antoine Ermann respectively, took the second and  third places on the podium of this 5* Grand Prix. A fitting end to five days of great riding competitions.

The master of time?
Thirty-nine couples started this class on Sunday afternoon for the second stage of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Grand Prix at 1.60m. As France's Antoine Ermann predicted when inspecting the course beforehand, the time limit of 76 seconds would be one of the main problems for riders on the initial course, comprising 14 obstacles and 17 difficulties, designed by the French course designer Grégory Bodo. Among the couples that 'timed out" were the European champions and title holders Richard Vogel (GER) and his fantastic United Touch S (2 pts), Nathan Budd (BEL and his powerful stallion Touardo Blue Z (2 pts), Edouard Schmitz (SUI) and Gamin van't Naastveldhof (1 pt) as well as Robin Muhr on Galaxy HM (3 pts). The tricky triple also caught out another than sixteen competitors.

French riders waiting to pounce on the opportunity
Although two couples, Sweden's Wilma Helström and her faithful Cicci BJN, and then Ireland's Bertram Allen on Qonquest de Rigo, rode clear rounds at the start of the class, the following fourteen starters all made mistakes! Then, much to the delight of the audience in Lyon, Antoine Ermann became the next rider to complete a clear round within the time limit riding Floyd des Prés, thus confirming their excellent form following their fourth place on Friday in the Longines Grand Prix. They were joined by the Paris 2024 Olympic team champion Harry Charles (GBR) riding Casquo Blue. Shortly after that, Julien Epaillard and 

Fringan de Vesquerie, competing in their first Longines FEI World Cup Grand Prix together, managed to complete another clear round within the time. The home rider, Olivier Perreau and his GL events Dorai d'Aiguilly, joined the list of contenders for the final victory, along with their compatriot Pénélope Leprévost riding Baloubet de Talma. Switzerland's Barbara Schnieper and her agile Canice were the last couple to do a clear round, making a total of eight couples that qualified for the final round against the clock. With four representatives, France had a great opportunity.

A thrilling jump-off
The first pair to start the jump-off was Wilma Hellström and her grey mare, who finished with 4 points in 45''97, after a misunderstanding on the oxer no.10 in the colours of the Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Bertram Allen then managed a double clear round, posting a time of 43''79. The remaining riders would have to give it everything to try and win. Antoine Ermann shaved 11 hundredths off the time (43''68) by taking every risk on the final line. The next riders knew just what they had to do. Despite his horse's lack of experience, Julien Épaillard, managed to lower the time even more and crossed the finish line in 43''33, taking command of the event. However, the experience and tenacity of Olivier Perreau, the team bronze medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, shone through. The GL events rider managed to shave 8 hundredths (43''33) off Julien Épaillard's time! Pénélope Leprévost and Barbara Schnieper, with scores of 4 pts (46''74) and 8 pts (47''02) Épaillard, could not do any better and so the rider from the Loire and his mare took one of their finest wins, at home in Lyon.

Results of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Grand Prix
1.      Olivier Perreau (FRA) and GL events Dorai d’Aiguilly, 0 + 0 in 43’’25
2.      Julien Epaillard (FRA) and Fringan de Vesquerie, 0 + 0 in 43’’33
3.      Antoine Ermann (FRA) and Floyd des Prés, 0 + 0 in 43’’68
4.      Bertram Allen (IRL) and Qonquest de Rigo, 0 + 0 in 43''79
5.      Harry Charles (GBR) and Casquo Blue, 0 + 4 pts in 44''38
6.      Wilma Hellström (SUE) and Cicci BJN, 0 + 4 pts in 45''97
7.      Pénélope Leprévost (FRA) and Baloubet de Talma, 0 + 4 pts in 46''74
8.      Barbara Schnieper (SUI) and Canice, 0 + 8 pts in 47''02

 

What they said: 

Olivier Perreau, winner of the Longines FEI World Cup Grand Prix:

"I'm very happy to finally win the Grand Prix here in Lyon. It was one of my main objectives. I didn't do the jump-off like I had initially planned but luck was on my side. I tried to give it my best shot by going as fast as I could and staying calm at the end. Winning here with a mare that I bred myself makes the victory even more special. It's true that breeding horses is still my main job. I won my first 5* Grand Prix with GL events Venizia d'Aiguilly. It's fantastic, now I'm going to think about the trying with my third horse (laughs). Looking to the future, the World Cup is not an objective for me. After two intense seasons leading up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, things have slowed down a bit. I may not have made the best choices in my schedule, but now my horse is back in great form. I'll try to manage her as best I can."  

Julien Épaillard, second in the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Grand Prix:

"I'm very pleased with my horse and would obviously I am happy with a result like this. Fringan has been going from strength to strength since September. I knew that the Grand Prix was going to be long and difficult, so I wanted to make sure he was feeling fresh for this event and it paid off. He's improving and showing great ability, both indoors and on grass. I gathered some more valuable information here and now we'll be able to make plans for the future. Lyon is a really great competition, all the conditions are perfect. We feel good here, so do the horses, and there is always a good audience. We'd like this competition to go on forever!" 

Antoine Ermann, third in the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Grand Prix:

"Finishing fourth in the Longines Grand Prix on Friday evening was already a childhood dream of mine. I have to admit I still need to pinch myself to realise it's not a dream. I already felt lucky just to be involved in the major classes here. So, this is a real bonus. I’m over the moon. It's been a great season. This helps me feel more comfortable at 5* level, but it also helps to have a horse like mine! I'm more competitive and I want to keep improving." 

Grégory Bodo, the course designer: 

"First of all, I'd like to congratulate the riders for this amazing 100% French podium finish. It's been a long time since I've seen three French riders together at a press conference. So, that bodes well for the French team. As far as the Grand Prix is concerned, we always try to produce the perfect course, but there's no secret to the fact that you never really know if you have succeeded until afterwards. I'd imagined about 80% of the course before arriving here, and then I adjusted it after watching how the horses performed since Friday. At this level, it's all about the details." 

Sylvie Robert, President of GL events Equestrian Sport, the organiser of 
Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International:

"I'm so happy to see these three riders on the podium at the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Grand Prix in Lyon. As the organiser, it's a dream come true, as is Olivier Perreau's win, since he is the partner rider of the GL events Group. Olivier and I get on really well so I'm very happy about his victory. It's also great to see Antoine Ermann do so well, since he made his début here in Lyon. A big thank-you to Grégory Bodo, with whom I'm delighted to be working. The courses are always smooth to ride and made for horses. There are always mistakes here and there, but the horses are never under any strain. We've had another great event this year, and we expect to reach a total of almost 200,000 visitors, like last year. The event already boasts 3,500 horses, a total of 140,000m² of show space, 850 exhibitors and riding competitions for every level and we hope to keep growing. We have a new hall currently under construction, which I hope will be operational next year. But before that, we are looking forward to the Saut Hermès at the Grand Palais from 20 to 22 March, followed by the fifth Printemps des Sports Equestres from 16 to 26 April, which will include a CDIO 5* for the first time." 

Amateur Gold Tour FFE – Victomte A.
Manon Vittozzi wins the final

The Amateur Gold Tour FFE - Vicomte A., a 20-stage national federal circuit consisting of a series of Amateur CSI classes held throughout the year, came to a conclusion on Sunday morning at the Longines Equita Lyon, Concours Hippique International. The thirty best riders of the regular season were on show in the International Arena, competing in their Grand Prix event at 1.25m. Eleven couples went through to the jump-off. Finally, Manon Vittozzi, 27, recorded the fastest double clear round on her mare Haya. She finished nearly two seconds ahead of Carla Arcq on Lady de Gueyte du Bois Bo and Valérie Bordier on Aida du Temple. 

Results of the Amateur Gold Tour FFE Final Vicomte A.
1.     Manon Vittozzi and Haya: 0 + 0 in 32’’71
2.     Carla Arcq and Lady de Gueyte du Bois Bo: 0 + 0 in 34’’47
3.     Valérie Bordier and Aida du Temple: 0 + 0 in 34’’74 

What she said:
Manon Vittozzi winner of the Amateur Gold Tour FFE final - Victomte A.: "This was my first season on the circuit and this event was a key objective. After winning two stages already, in Royan and Notre-Dame-d'Estrées, I couldn't have dreamt of anything better that winning this final event here in Lyon. I had only been here as a spectator before. Riding in the International Arena is magical. The fans really get behind us, which is very motivating. I've been riding Haya since 2021, but she's been in the family since she was five. My sister used to ride her; she's the horse of our lives!"