GILLES THOMAS AND THE KALONE HERMITAGE
REIGN OVER PARIS
With the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop, the beginning of a sunset and packed stands, this was the setting in which Belgian Gilles Thomas, partner Ermitage Kalone, won the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of the city of Paris this Saturday evening.
For the most important event of these three days of competition, course designer Grégory Bodo had created a course with 13 obstacles and 16 attempts. This course seemed to prove challenging for the riders, as it wasn't until the 11th round that the first clear round was achieved, by Belgian Nicola Philippaerts and Moya vd Bisschop. He was followed by Americans Lillie Keenan on Fasther and Natalie Dean with Crescendo MB Z, as well as Irishman Denis Lynch riding Mr Boombastic. Belgian Gilles Thomas with his fantastic Ermitage Kalone and the German duo Katrin Eckermann on Iron Dames Cydello and Christian Ahlmann with Dourkhan Hero Z completed the jump-off.
In the second round, only three pairs managed to confirm their form: Denis Lynch, Lillie Keenan, and... Gilles Thomas, who, with his 11-year-old stallion by Kannan, delivered a perfect round, as is now customary for them. "When I saw that there were still no clear rounds up to fence number 10, I thought it was going to be really tough to win, but my horse is incredible, and I also knew he was more than capable," the Belgian rider explained after his victory. "Winning here in front of this crowd, in this magical setting, and also in front of my family who are here this weekend, is an incredible feeling. This victory also earns me a ticket to the grand final in Prague, which is a great source of satisfaction."
The best French performance came from Antoine Ermann and Floyd des Pres, who finished 13th with 4 points.
CSI5* PRESENTED BY HOPE
Sweden dominated the CSI5* presented by Hope! The 1.45m two-phase speed class was won by Sweden's Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli and her mare Deesse de Coquerie, who finished ahead of their compatriot Henrik von Eckermann and Glamour Girl. Belgium's Koen Vereecke on Oilily de Muze completed the podium.
CSI1*
The CSI1* presented by Joone Prize (1.15m) was won by the Italian Camilla Rossi and Calviska de la Falize Z. In the CSI1* presented by Barnes (1.30m), it was the Brazilian Felipe Coutinho Mendonca Nagata with Coco Bambu Z who triumphed, while the British Grace Healey won the CSI1* presented by Le Parisien riding Destina du Mesnil Z.
Once again, the magic happened on the ephemeral track of the Longines Global Champions Tour – Longines Paris Eiffel Jumping, with the show by equestrian artist Santi Serra closing this second day.
Tomorrow, Sunday June 22, the riders of the CSI1* and 5* will meet one last time, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
