Dexter Fontenis Z helps colour the Grand Prix podium in Lyon

After the first two rounds in Oslo and Helsinki, another World Cup round was on the programme last weekend, and more specifically at the five-star Equita Lyon show in France. In addition to the World Cup on Sunday, the Longines Grand Prix on Friday evening made it an absolute highlight of the weekend. This year, it featured French rider Simon Delestre and his 11-year-old gelding Dexter Fontenis Z, a son of Diarado and Voltaire bred by S-Ky Horses S.C.R.I.. Delestre and Dexter Fontenis Z were one of eight combinations to go clear in the 1.60m base round run by arena builder Gregory Bodo and his team, securing a spot for the jump-off. In it, they managed to repeat their flawless performance from the basic round and with a finishing time of 37.58 seconds they secured themselves a brilliant ^3rd place.

Also in this Longines Grand Prix, French rider Alexa Ferrer ensured a top ranking with her 13-year-old mare Vitalhorse Naiade d'Elsendam Z, the daughter of Nabab de Rêve and Quattro B bred by François Verhulst. She crossed the finish line in 40.62 seconds after a clear jump-off, which was good for a handsome ^5th place.

On Sunday afternoon Equita Lyon was all about the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup in which Belgian rider Pieter Devos managed to jump into the picture with his 9-year-old mare Casual DV Z, daughter of Cornet Obolensky and Cicero Z, who was born and raised in the Devos family home. In a jump-off for which ten combinations managed to qualify, Devos and Casual DV Z again kept all obstacles in the reels and this performance earned them a meritorious ^7th place in the ranking.

Two days earlier Devos had also given a strong performance with the 10-year-old Cicero Z offspring Jarina J. During the 1.50m speed class on Friday afternoon they managed to gain a ^3rd place after a sparkling round.

On Saturday evening, the show jumping programme in Lyon concluded with the Equita Masters presented by Hermès Sellier, in which Luxembourg rider Victor Bettendorf managed to jump to^2nd place with the 13-year-old mare Cancun Torel Z, a daughter of Cosinhus and Grannus from the breeding farm of Francois-Xavier Guyard. Bettendorf and Cancun Torel Z managed to ensure the fastest finishing time in the second and decisive round, but a jumping fault in the first round unfortunately kept them from victory. Frenchman Kevin Staut and the 8-year-old mare Vida Loca Z (Vigo d'Arsouilles x Cornet Obolensky), owned by breeder Brd Horse Trading, were 4th in this Equita Masters. They then saw a fault in the second round.

Earlier on Saturday the CSI2* Grand Prix had already taken place in Lyon, in which Belgian rider Wilm Vermeir managed to jump to a top 10 ranking with the 8-year-old mare Belle Amie Vd Dassenheide Z, a daughter of Bamako de Muze and Emerald van 't Ruyterhof from the breeder Jill Goossens. After a clear first round, Vermeir and Belle Amie Vd Dassenheide Z also left all obstacles untouched in the jump-off, finishing in ^7th place.

Another striking combination in the CSI2* competition in Lyon was Frenchman Lucas Fournier and the 10-year-old mare Cyranan Z (Cyrano du Ruisseau Z x Heartbreaker) out of the breeding of Francesca Gobessi and Najem Joy. Indeed, during both the place the 1.40m class on Wednesday evening and the 1.45m Longines Ranking class on Thursday, they managed to finish ^4th.

Finally, Fournier's compatriot Gregory Cottard also managed to secure a podium place with the also 10-year-old mare Cybele de Wy Z (Cristal la Silla x Val T'horens van de Padenborre - B: Fratz Ducci). During the 1.40m class on Friday morning, they were not guilty of any faults, resulting in ^3rd place.