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<\/p>\nThe course set by Franz Madl (AUT) saw 13 pairs of the 51 strong starter field clear their way into the deciding jump-off over a shortened, eight-fence track. In the jump-off, the pressure was on and it showed: It took until rider number five before a clear round was produced, when Theodor Linde (DEN) on Salto des Nauves HDC (Tlaloc M x Le Sartillais) left the all the fences up in a time of 52.24 seconds. Soon after him, Melie Gosa (FRA) on Alouette d\u2019Eole (Mylord Carthago x Helios de la Cour II) showed that there was room for improvement: She went around the track in full speed, setting the new standard to 45.83 seconds. For a while, it seemed as if her time could not be beaten \u2013 until her compatriot, Nicolas Delmotte (FRA) on his faithful partner Urvoso du Roch (Nervoso x Grand d\u2019Escla) entered the ring. With a daring canter to the penultimate triple bar, the French rider crossed the finish line in a time of 44.89 seconds, pushing Gosa to the runner-up position and taking home the win.<\/p>\n
Ismael Garcia Roque (ESP) on La Costa (Gitano V Berkenbroeck x Calvino Z) placed third with a clear round in 46.45 seconds, while Koen Vereecke (BEL) on Kasanova de La Pomme (Bamako de Muze x Malito de Reve) ended fourth with the time of 46.81 seconds. After having produced the first double clear result of the day, Theodor Linde (DEN) on Salto des Nauves HDC (Tlaloc M x Le Sartillais) had to settle for the fifth spot.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe jump-off was good: The course was well built, but it was difficult,\u201d the happy winner said afterwards. \u201cThere were some very fast horses and riders in the jump-off, so I knew it was going to be tough,\u201d Delmotte said about his plan going in.<\/p>\n
Many riders fell victim of the very last fence, and to that Delmotte commented: \u201cMaybe some horses got a bit tired at the end of a long track, and the distance to the last fence was short.\u201d<\/p>\n
About his winning mount, the 13-year-old gelding Urvoso du Roch, Delmotte said: \u201cI have been riding him for five years already, this is the start of the 2021 season for him, it is our first show. I am very happy with him, he jumped great over the weeks here and I could not be happier with the result today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking of the venue at Oliva Nova, Delmotte said: \u201cI have to congratulate the organizers, the show here in Oliva is fantastic, with great facilities and good organization. I am always happy to come here.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n