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<\/p>\nThe pair won the CSI2* Grand Prix during week one, and repeated themselves in the third and final week of competition at the first part of the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour\u2019s spring edition.<\/p>\n
Some of the world\u2019s very best riders have been in action in Oliva Nova, Spain during the last three weeks and Sunday\u2019s CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix was a star-studded affair with Peder Fredricson (SWE), Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS), Alberto Zorzi (ITA), Penelope Leprevost (FRA) and Lorenzo De Luca (ITA) among the names on the start list. In the end, twelve out of the 58 horse-and-rider combinations in the Grand Prix managed to deliver clear rounds over the first-round track \u2013 designed by Javier Tenor (ESP) \u2013 and moved on to the jump-off.<\/p>\n
As first to go in the jump-off, it was Marie Demonte (FRA) and Vega de La Roche (Nabab de Reve x Canturo) that set the time to beat to 30.51 seconds. However, Demonte was overtaken by Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) and the lightning fast mare Sweet Tricia (Berlin x Tampa) \u2013 who shortly thereafter had to give way for Alberto Zorzi and Vauban du Trio (Nervoso x Desir du Chateau) that were the first to bring the clock down under the 30-second mark with a time of 29.19. Zorzi took advantage of the 11-year-old gelding\u2019s huge stride \u2013 shaving off nearly a second on Modolo Zanotelli\u2019s leading time. Lorenzo De Luca also gave it a good shot, but was just shy of his compatriot\u2019s time as Nuance Bleue Vdm Z (Nabab de Reve x Canturo) crossed the timers in 29.85 seconds. Julien Epaillard has had a great start to 2020, also taking home the CSI5* Grand Prix of Amsterdam last weekend, and as last to go in the jump-off he did what he does best \u2013 ride faster than the rest. With his 11-year-old grey mare Jalanta P he blazed through the finish line in an incredible 28.15 seconds to standing ovations from the audience that had lined up outside The Club under the beautiful January sun.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI have had a very nice start to the 2020 season, although 2019 did not end bad either,\u201d smiled the happy winner. \u201cI have a stable full of good horses, and five to six of them can all jump a five-star Grand Prix. That also makes it easier to make a good plan for all of them, and then it\u2019s only for me to make the least mistakes possible!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes you are in a flow, and everything works out \u2013 sometimes you are unlucky and have four faults again and again. Right now, everything is positive and it is going the right way,\u201d Epaillard commented on his winning streak.<\/p>\n
\u201cI watched Alberto\u2019s round in the jump-off, and he did seven strides from fence one to two. I had planned on doing eight there, but changed my mind as I know my mare is really fast,\u201d Epaillard detailed about his tactics. \u201cThen I also did six strides to the double, and that allowed me to take a bit more time to the last \u2013 it all worked out today!\u201d Epaillard smiled.<\/p>\n
A crowd favourite in Oliva Nova, Epaillard\u2019s win was a popular one \u2013 and the affection is mutual. \u201cI come a lot to Oliva, I really like it here. It is a great place to prepare for the outdoor season. The best here is that you can make a really nice program for the horses. For the CSI3* Grand Prix, you need a good horse as the course designers tend to build bigger compared to the CSI2* and also more delicate,\u201d Epaillard said. \u201cEverything here in Oliva is made for horses and riders, and it\u2019s simply a really nice place to work!\u201d<\/p>\n
The Spring MET 2020 now takes a short break, and resumes with its second part of the Tour on February 11th.<\/p>\n