EVS Grand Prix Longines of the City of La Baule: Victory for World Champion Pair, Simone Blum and DSP Alice

Photo Courtesy of Longines International Jumping of La Baule
Photo Courtesy of Longines International Jumping of La Baule

Only eight pairs out of the forty five on the start list of the Grand Prix Longines of the City of La Baule managed to clear the course designed by Frédéric Cottier within the time allowed: Eduardo Menezes (BRA)/H5 Quintol, Olivier Robert (FRA)/Vangog du Mas Grenier, Doron Kuipers (NED)/Charley, Amy Inglis (GBR)/Wishes, Grégory Wathelet (BEL)/Iron Man Van de Padernborre, Steve Guerdat (SUI)/Albfuehren’s Bianca, Simone Blum (GER)/DSP Alice and Darragh Kenny (IRL)/Important de Muze.These eight riders confronted in the jump-off, this difficult exercise requiring speed and precision.

Read MoreEVS Grand Prix Longines of the City of La Baule: Victory for World Champion Pair, Simone Blum and DSP Alice

EVS Grand Prix Longines of the City of La Baule: Victory for World Champion Pair, Simone Blum and DSP Alice

Photo Courtesy of Longines International Jumping of La Baule
Photo Courtesy of Longines International Jumping of La Baule

Only eight pairs out of the forty five on the start list of the Grand Prix Longines of the City of La Baule managed to clear the course designed by Frédéric Cottier within the time allowed: Eduardo Menezes (BRA)/H5 Quintol, Olivier Robert (FRA)/Vangog du Mas Grenier, Doron Kuipers (NED)/Charley, Amy Inglis (GBR)/Wishes, Grégory Wathelet (BEL)/Iron Man Van de Padernborre, Steve Guerdat (SUI)/Albfuehren’s Bianca, Simone Blum (GER)/DSP Alice and Darragh Kenny (IRL)/Important de Muze.These eight riders confronted in the jump-off, this difficult exercise requiring speed and precision.

Read MoreEVS Grand Prix Longines of the City of La Baule: Victory for World Champion Pair, Simone Blum and DSP Alice

Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of France 2019 at La Baule (FRA): Swiss Win Big!

Photo © FEI/Martin Dokoupil
Photo © FEI/Martin Dokoupil

In a spectacular start to the Europe Division 1 series, Switzerland pipped reigning series champions Belgium in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of France 2019 at La Baule (FRA) today where the host nation lined up third. Clear rounds are key to success, and there were plenty who managed to leave all the poles in place on the track set by crack French course designer Frederic Cottier despite a testing time-allowed of 75 seconds. But double-clears are even better, and when the Swiss posted two of the the five recorded this afternoon, thanks to superb efforts from team pathfinder Niklaus Rutschi (53) and anchorman Steve Guerdat (36), they beat the Belgians by a single penalty point.

Read MoreLongines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of France 2019 at La Baule (FRA): Swiss Win Big!