Grand Prix glory for L’Arc En Ciel Z in Megève

We were treated to a five-star spectacle at the Longines Global Champions Tour organised by Riesenbeck International in Germany, but of course there were also plenty of other international show jumping events on the programme last weekend. In France, for example, there was a new edition of Jumping International de Megève, where a Z-class horse stole the show during the CSI3* Grand Prix.

The CSI3* Grand Prix at Megève on Sunday afternoon marked the culmination of four days of international show jumping and saw a total of sixty rider-horse combinations take to the arena. Swiss course designer Julien Pradervand and his team had once again mapped out a superb course, with thirteen riders qualifying for the jump-off. Victory went to the Irish rider Mark McAuley and the 13-year-old stallion L’Arc En Ciel Z, a son of L’Arc de Triomphe and San Remo who was bred in France by Sarah Gospodnetic and Anne Delerie. In the jump-off, McAuley and L’Arc En Ciel Z raced to the finish line in 36.20 seconds, giving them a lead of well over half a second over the competition.

Mark McAuley: “I’m absolutely delighted because this is a Grand Prix I’ve always wanted to win. My horse was brilliant: he gave it his all. The course went well and the time was tight, but fair. Julien Pradervand has done an excellent job all week. Megève is one of our favourite shows of the year and the welcome here is always fantastic.”

Another fine performance in this Grand Prix came from the French rider Alexa Ferrer and her 15-year-old mare Vitalhorse Naiade D’Elsendam Z, a daughter of Nabab de Rêve and Quattro B from the stud of François Verhulst. Ferrer and Vitalhorse Naiade D’Elsendam Z, who earlier this month won the CSIO3* Grand Prix at Kronenberg, finished the jump-off in 37.58 seconds, securing them a fine^5th place this time round.

On the opening day on Wednesday, there was also a Dutch victory to celebrate, courtesy of Swiss rider Franck Goubard and the 10-year-old mare Ionella IL Mondo Z, a daughter of I’M Special de Muze and Baloubet du Rouet, bred by Tim Naessens. Goubard and Ionella IL Mondo Z were the overall winners in the 1.40m class, where they outclassed the competition with a clear-round^second phase in 31.83 seconds.

The silver in this main class on Wednesday went to the Italian Roberto Turchetto and the 8-year-old chestnut mare Kuriosity de Vy Z (Kanada de Vy Z x Schilling), bred by Yves Vilain. They too rode two clean rounds, but took 32.28 seconds to complete their^second phase. On Saturday, they confirmed this strong performance by securing^10th place in the 1.45m main class.

Also in this 1.45m class, Alexa Ferrer was among the prize-winners with the 10-year-old mare Kasbah Queen Hero Z (Kassander van ’t Roosakker Z x Erco van ’t Roosakker – breeder: Stud Hero/Luc Henry). They kept all the bars down in both the first round and the jump-off, finishing in^6th place.

Earlier on Saturday, Swiss rider Barbara Schnieper made her mark with the 11-year-old stallion Coco G Z (Cornet Obolensky x Contendro I – breeder: W. van Gestel). During the 1.40m speed class, they produced a faultless round, which earned them^5th place in the rankings.

Finally, there were also two Z-class horses that secured^second place in Friday’s class. For French rider Vincent Mourier and the 9-year-old stallion Coeur de Z (Chamir Z x Lux Z – breeder: Cyril Pourin), this was in the 1.40mclass, whilst his compatriot Nicolas Bodin and the 10-year-old mare A Guakadera Z (Akarad Hero Z x Sandro Boy – breeder: Nicolas Bodin) took silver in the 1.35m class.