After a double Australian top ranking in Friday's Grand Prix, Australian riders produced a repeat performance in Saturday's Grand Prix kur to music with Lyndal Oatley's cousin Kristy moving into the winner's circle on Ronan and Mary Hanna placing second. Earlier that day, the young French Under 25 rider Hélène Legallais won the Intermediaire II and Spanish Beatriz Ferrer-Salat won the Intermediaire I.
Oatley On Top
With three Australians placing in the top three in the Kur to Music, Deauville turned into an Oz fest with all the emotional consequences in tow. Kristy Oatley could not restrain her tears at the prize giving ceremony. Her giant bay Ronan, standing no less than 1.90 m (!), was more cooperative in the Grand Prix Kur, as confirmed by his rider.
"I felt much better than yesterday," she admits quite pleased. "It's very hot here and it took a bit longer to get used to it. And I also think I rode him better. I was a little nervous yesterday because as I was first to start. Today I still made some mistakes," said Kristy who signed her first international victory of the season.
It has a special flavor because her cousin Lyndal Oatley, winner of the Grand Prix yesterday, finished third. "Her horse was much more nervous," said judge Jean-Michel Roudier. "She managed to limit the damage brilliantly," he added. Between the two cousins, a third Australian slipped into second place. Mary Hanna (AUS), the eldest of the team, finished second with Sancette.
Ferrer-Salat Wins Inter I
The victory of Julia Chevanne (FRA) in the opening class, the Prix St Georges, did not bring luck to the French rider. Her equine partner Swing de Hus showed some signs of nervousness at the beginning of test and the duo could not claim a second victory, though they still were the best French ranked pair in the class with their 6th place.
Spanish Beatriz Ferrer-Salat rode Du Pre to victory. After a 5th place on Friday, she executed a good test highly appreciated by the judges, who allowed her to finally overtake American Jennifer Hoffmann with a 0.3% point difference. Belgian Françoise Hologne-Joux finished third on her steady small tour partner Warhol.
Hélène Legallais Wins U25 Inter II
French 2012 national champio Hélène Legallais and Unique continued their rise to the top by winning an international class for the first time in their career. She dominated a group of 7 riders but the second and third place were reserved for Dutch riders. Machteld Hoeflake (NED) performed slightly less well than Hélène after a 2% score difference and finished second ahead of her team mate Romy Peijen.
Related Links
Scores: 2014 CDI Deauville
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