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<\/p>\nNo less than 21 horse-and-rider combinations out of the 53 in the Grand Prix managed to solve all the questions asked by course designer Franz Madl, producing clear rounds over the thirteen-fence\u00a0track in round one. \u201cThe level here is very high,\u201d Epaillard commented after the Grand Prix. \u201cFor Spring MET I we have a lot of top-level horses and riders who are all starting the season here. With this in mind, I think it\u2019s quite natural to have a lot of clears. I also think that at the start of the season, it\u2019s important to not make it too difficult for the horses. They have a long season ahead of them, so the course designer did a good job today.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Epaillard was second-last to go in the jump-off, and as he went in the ring with his 11-year-old grey mare Jalanta P (Catalano x Fortinbras) it was Laura Renwick (GBR) that was in the lead. Half-way into the jump-off, Renwick blazed around the shortened track with Dublin V (Vigaro x Calvados \/ Sable Rose) to set the time to beat at 44.54 seconds \u2013 and for a long time it looked as if no one would catch her. However, when Epaillard is coming behind no one is safe and today was no exception. At the speed of light, Epaillard raced around the jump-off track \u2013 going full speed on the last stretch past The Club. When he crossed the finish line, the clocks stopped at the incredible time of 43.03 seconds. \u201cI was at the end, and had seen Laura\u2019s round so I tried. It was win or lose, no tactics,\u201d Epaillard smiled after snatching the win from Renwick. Alberto Zorzi (ITA) and Vauban du Trio (Nervoso x Desir du Chateau) followed in third with a time of 46.21 seconds, Eduardo Alvarez Aznar and Legend (Ogano Sitte x Nabab de Reve) in fourth with a time of 46.48 while fifth place went to Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) and Katanga vd Dingeshof (Cardento 933 x Tornedo Fcs) in 46.71.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very happy with Jalanta. I have been riding her since October last year. She is a really nice mare, actually I think she is a super star. Now I start to jump a bit bigger with her. She is super careful, competitive, fast and scopey. I think she has a great future ahead of her,\u201d Epaillard said.<\/p>\n
Epaillard is a frequent visitor in Oliva, and comes back season after season. \u201cI really like it here, I come here a lot,\u201d he said. \u201cEverything here is made for horses and riders, and the ground is super. The organisation is always nice, everything is clean and it\u2019s always a pleasure to come here!\u201d<\/p>\n