Grand Prix podium for Calasto Z at Chantilly

Although the four-star competition at the Chantilly Classic présenté par Al Shira’aa naturally attracted the most attention, there was also plenty of action at two-star level over the past few days at the magnificent Hippodrome de Chantilly. Here too, several Z-level horses made a strong impression, culminating in a podium finish in the CSI2* Grand Prix.

Unlike the CSI4* Grand Prix, the CSI2* Grand Prix was scheduled for Saturday afternoon, with forty-one rider-horse pairs taking to the arena. One of the six pairs to qualify for the decisive jump-off was local rider Michel Robert and the 12-year-old chestnut gelding Calasto Z, a son of Calvaro FC and Stakkato who was bred in the Netherlands by Hans Schipper. Following their clear round in the first round, Robert and Calasto Z also rode a clean round in the jump-off, and with a fast finishing time of 43.01 seconds, they secured the silver medal in this first Grand Prix of the weekend.

Also in the top five of the rankings were Robert’s compatriot Mathilde Couturier and the 9-year-old chestnut stallion Cameo Gay Z, a son of Comilfo Plus Z and Dominard, bred by Camille Baume. They picked up four penalty points in the jump-off and, with a time of 46.58 seconds, just managed to secure a place in the top five of the rankings.

There was also a French victory to note in the two-star competition, courtesy of Camille Conde Ferreira and the 7-year-old mare Kairos Romaneira Z (Kannan x Crown Z), bred by EARL Ecurie De Vitelle. Conde Ferreira and Kairos Romaneira Z were crowned winners of Saturday’s 1.35m class, where a dazzling round in 56.22 seconds gave them a lead of exactly three full seconds over the competition.

The bronze in this class went to the Mexican rider Lorenza Mena Rodriguez and the 9-year-old gelding Gringo Z El Trebol (Golden Boy du Val du Geer x Nijinski), who was given the birth name Gringo NN Z by breeder Nico Nelis. They also produced a clear round, but took 59.45 seconds to complete their course.

With two top-10 placings, French rider Nicolas Layec also enjoyed a successful weekend with the 8-year-old stallion Namur Z (Nabab de Rêve x Fantomas de Muze – breeder: Virginie Houard). They first made their mark on Friday with a^9th place in the 1.45m class and rounded off the weekend on Sunday morning with an^8th place in the 1.40m class.