Saut Hermès: Julien Anquetin crowned for the first time, French double with Epaillard

Frenchman Julien Anquetin, with his horse Blood Diamond, scored his first victory in the five-star Grand Prix of the 14th edition of the Saut Hermès competition, Sunday in Paris. He is followed very closely (28 hundredths) by his compatriot Julien Epaillard then by the Colombian Rene Lopez Lizarazo (1.32 seconds).

4th place goes to the German Kendra Claricia Brinkop, the only woman to have taken a place in the Grand Prix. The Swede and reigning Olympic champion, Peder Fredricson, only ranks sixth. After his coronation, Anquetin spoke out. “It’s the best victory of my career. I'm on cloud nine. I have difficulty realizing this. I have already won a Grand Prix in a 5* CSI (La Coruna in 2023) but to win here in France is incredible. In the jump-off, I think my turnaround was the most beautiful of my entire career. I was happy when Julien Épaillard also qualified for the jump-off because I was very motivated by the idea of ​​facing the fastest rider in the world. Before adding: I told myself we were going to be able to have fun! It was a great challenge. At the jump-off, I knew I had been fast but it was very stressful watching the others. My horse was once again incredible. This horse made his first internationals with me. This victory is an accomplishment.”

Ranking of the Grand Prix du Saut Hermès, Sunday, at the Grand Palais Éphémère in Paris:

1. Julien Anquetin (FRA/Blood Diamond)

2. Julien Epaillard (FRA/Donatello d'Auge)

3. Rene Lopez Lizarazo (COL/Kheros Van't Hoogeinde)

4. Kendra Claricia Brinkop (GER/Tabasco)

5. Gilles Thomas (BEL/Luna)

6. Peder Fredricson (SWE/Catch me not s)

7. Henrik Von Eckermann (SWE/Iliana)

8. Carlos Eduardo Mota Ribas (BRA/Trix)

9. Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA/Julius.D)

10. Pieter Devos (BEL/Casual DV Z)