A favorite among equestrian sports enthusiasts, the 2024 edition of the Jumping International de Dinard is no exception to the rule.
Since Thursday, the world’s showjumping elite have gathered for four days of top-level sport. All the riders are set to compete in this major event, the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard, on Sunday at 2.45pm. Thursday July 18, CSI5* 1m45 in two phases The Prix du Conseil Départemental d'Ille et Vilaine was won by Julien Gonin on the splendid grass which has been carefully prepared for weeks by the town's gardeners to welcome this fantastic course designed by Jean-François Morand – the competition's course manager for many years. The Frenchman took advantage of the great performance of Valou du Lys, a 15-year-old Selle Français mare who set the reference time.
He is ahead of American McLain Ward, Winner of the 2018 Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard, riding First Lady. Rio Olympic team champion Roger-Yves Bost, with Ballerine du Vilpion, completes the podium. Friday July 19, CSI5* 1m55 with jump-off Yesterday, riders competed in the first CSI5* jump-off. Sixteen of the forty-three couples taking part in the 5* 1m55 event completed a perfect course to qualify for the jump-off. Brazilian Luciana Diniz, with Vertigo du Desert, won with two superb performances. Martin Fuchs, with Conner Jei, and Alessandra Volpi, with Candy Luck Z, completed the podium, both with double clear rounds. Mégane Moissonnier, riding Bracadabra, was the best French performance and finished fourth.
Saturday July 20, CSI5* 1m50 on the clock In the day's CSI5* event, only nine riders managed to overcome the challenges of the course designed by Jean-François Morand. In the end, the American anthem rang out to celebrate McLain Ward's victory. A very fast rider, he won the 5* 1m50 class on First Lady, beating Pieter Devos and Jarina J by one second. France took third place thanks to the no fault performance of François-Xavier Boudant and Ermes du Noé.
McLain Ward - ©Rolex Series
I'm obviously delighted with this victory, which is a nice kick off to the competition. I was in Sweden last weekend, at the Falsterbo CSIO, where conditions weren't easy and we rode on a rather heavy ground. So my initial idea was to go for an easy course, and in the end, the mare had a blast and really gave her best. She's got a lot of experience now, so it's not complicated for her. She's a big mare and on a big course like Dinard, it’s just ideal and pleasant. The conditions are really great, it's a real treat.
I'm so happy. It's hard to express how happy I am with this victory. After the Chantilly Classic competition, my whole team convinced me to come here to Dinard. I'm very moved and I'd like to thank my horse first and foremost, but also the whole team around me, who supports me and really believes in me.
Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard, Sunday July 21 at 2.45pm The 38 riders at the start of this Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard will be hoping to reclaim the title from Austrian Max Kühner, who won last year with Elektric Blue P. The passionate Dinard public will be cheering for French riders Philippe Rozier, Julien Epaillard and Kevin Staut, who will be looking to succeed Nicolas Delmotte, the last Veste Bleue to win in 2017 with Urvoso du Roch. We'll also be joined by some of the most famous names on the international equestrian scene, including Steve Guerdat, Max Kühner, Grégory Wathelet, Scott Brash, Martin Fuchs and world’s number one Henrik Von Eckermann. At 2.45pm on Sunday, all eyes will focus on the prestigious Val Porée grass course. There is no doubt that the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard will deliver an intense moment of top sport and a breathtaking show to equestrian sport enthusiasts.
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