A new kind of equestrian event is born
Something special happened in Deauville. The way the three equestrian discipline of R.I.D.E Normandy was directed was somewhere different and gave stronger emotions to the public. Anyway this first edition produced three great winners. This was a good start for this new event.
There are many reasons, for Amaury Sport Organisation, to feel satisfied after this first edition. From the sporting aspect, the new formula produced good sport: the public and the competitors were obviously very pleased: "Three years after my victory in Paris, in the first R.I.D.E, I still like this format. It obliged the riders to keep concentrated the three days long. It's may be a bit tiring for an old man like me", said an obviously happy Markus Fuchs although he was only placed third this year. The victory went to a very lucky Frenchman: this was the 4th win in a row for Olivier Guillon at this show. With his stallion Ionesco de Brekka, who gave a strong impression of serenity, he produced a great performance: "I had a bad start in this competition. On Friday I was ranked over the 20th place, so I did not have the choice, the only way to get back in the Top 10 was to accumulate victories."Winning 4 out 7 classes in the same show, including the main one (180.000 Euros, 60.000 for the winner) is quite a rare performance which has been appreciated by the 7,000 spectators.
This crowd went then to the marathon trying to run after a very fast Australian Boyd Exell who spectacularly won this last competition. This blend of these three disciplines is actually a successful recipe and was a flourishing step on the way to the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy. Bad news: one has to wait twelve more months until the 2nd edition of R.I.D.E Normandy.
»» Eugénie Angot
»» Tim Stockdale : 2nd in 6th round, 8th in Top RIDE - Jumping
16:29 - Jumping - And the winner is...
... Olivier Guillon ! Ionesco de Brekka's rider is indeed a specialist of fantastic come back. 26th of the individual ranking at the European Championship last august, he wins the finale and finish eventually 7th. At the RIDE Normandie in Deauville, he does even better deep down in the ranking until yesterday afternoon, he wins three events in a row with his two horses to qualify for the Top R.I.D.E that he wins 0"11 ahead of Eugénie Angot (Ilostra Dark). Last winner in 2004, Swiss Markus Fuchs (Nirmette)is third.
15:59 - Jumping - Olivier Guillon wins the TOP RIDE
French rider Olivier Guillon wins the TOP RIDE on his horse Ionesco de Brekka.
15:15 - Around RIDE - The winners of the Elegance award of the RIDE Normandie 2007
A jury of personality (French actor Roland Giraud and 5 others& ) spent yesterday judging the competitors of the RIDE Normandie in order to give the Elegance award 2007. During the evening Gala, a special plaque was presented to the following riders : - Swedish Helena Lundback and her horse Madick for the showjumping - French Nicolas Touzaint and his horse Tatchou for the eventing - Australian Boyd Excell and his 4 horses for the driving
13:52 - Jumping - Top R.I.D.E. in a few words
Top R.I.D.E. will be the last class of the R.I.D.E. Normandie CSI*****. During the three competition days, each rider did his best to get the smallest malus : this malus was linked to the rider's result in the class and to the class coefficient. For example: last class had a 4 coefficient; French Olivier Guillon who won this class only got 1x4 malus, that the judges added to his former malus. The 10 riders taking part in Top R.I.D.E. will all start out on an equal footing: noone can take advantage of his former results. The only advantage that can be taken is the starting order.
13:46 - Jumping - Riders qualified for the Top R.I.D.E.
Six classes were necessary to qualify the 10 best riders. Will take part in the Top R.I.D.E. : Julien Epaillard (FRA), Luciana Diniz (POR), Tim Stockdale (GBR), Markus Fuchs (SUI), Olivier Guillon (FRA), Marc Houtzager (NED), Franke Sloothaak (GER), Eugénie Angot (FRA), Michel Hécart (FRA) et Florian Angot (FRA).
13:44 - Jumping - Incredible Ionesco!
Crazy class and crazy ending for the 6th Price, the one thanks to which we now know the 10 riders taking part in Top R.I.D.E. this afternoon. Two main figures, who were ranked in this Top 10 list are out: Michael Whitaker and Steve Guerdat. On the opposite, French Olivier Guillon, who wins his third class in this week-end Deauville competition, gets into the best riders' club. "Ionesco definitly shows here at R.I.D.E. Normandie that he is mature enough for this kind of classes", said the rider, who will be on the start of Top R.I.D.E., from 3:30 pm.
11:16 - Jumping - Provisory ranking
After the fifth class of R.I.D.E. Normandie CSI*****, French Florian Angot takes back the lead of the ranking. 1st : Florian Angot (FRA) / 2nd : Franke Sloothaak (GER) / 3rd : Luciana Diniz (POR) / 4th : Steve Guerdat (SUI) / 5th : Michael Whitaker (GBR) / 6th : Markus Fuchs (SUI) / 7th : Michel Hecart (FRA) / 8th : François Mathy Jr (BEL) / 9th : Cameron Hanley (IRL) / 10th : Marc Houtzager (NED). Riders are getting ready for the last class, which is beginning in a few minutes. This last class will be the one taht will determinate the names of the riders taking part in this afternoon's Top R.I.D.E. (3:30 pm).
11:10 - Jumping - Olivier Guillon wins for the second time!
After his first victory yesterday, nothing seems to be able to stop French rider Olivier Guillon who wins today speed class with Kissmi des Nauves. He's followed by German Franke Sloothaak and Belgian François Mathy Jr. Olivier is not assured yet to take part in this afternoon Top R.I.D.E. but is now very closed to this Top 10. It will be a veru exciting class #6 now!
10:57 - Around RIDE - 28.000 euros for the small Too Much de Pleville
A tradition is probably born at the R.I.D.E: the V.I.P (International sales for foals and broodmares) was quite a success last night in the hall Elie de Brignac. 60% of the horses have change their owner and a top price of, 28.000 Euros, has been reached for an offspring of team European Champion, Eurocommerce Berlin and a dam by Rox de la Touche (SF), a bay colt called Too Much de Pleville. "We are very satisfied, said Fences Agency manager Arnaud Evain, as the foals were in average sold for a better price that at our traditional Fences Market in November. The V.I.P auction has found its place in the calendar as well as in the frame of R.I.D.E Normandy. Like this R.I.D.E this auction need time to get its notoriety, but this is a very encouraging start."
09:49 - Jumping - Everything can change!
Deauville-Clairefontaine racecourse is underneath a sweet blue sky for this R.I.D.E. Normandie last day. Eventing riders have turned, totally satsified of the three days competition they took part in! Today, the results will be known for the two other disciplines: will Benjamin Aillaud be able to forget the points he lost yesterday after the marathon and give everything he can? Will Werner Ulrich keep the lead he has been on since the second day of the competition? Everything can change among the jumping rank too. The 10 best riders of the competition will perform the final jumping, the Top R.I.D.E. But all their feats and exploits over the past four days will amount to nothing at that point: they will all start out on an equal footing!
