During the four days of the 6th edition of the International Dressage Competition organised by Jiva Hill Stables in Crozet (01) from 2 to 6 August, 86 riders from 22 nations and 110 horses will give their all to win over the judges in 26 classes divided between the CDIAm, CDIU25, CDIYH, CDI1*, CDI2*, CDI3*, and for the first time CDI5*.
Photo Credit: Les Garennes
As early as Wednesday August 2, to satisfy the numerous requests to take part in this event, now recognized as one of the most prestigious on the European dressage scene, the organizers, led by Etienne Zeller, had scheduled a Prix Saint Georges open to CDI1* competitors. On this Thursday, August 3, the panel of international judges chaired by Raphaël Saleh (FRA), comprised Kurt Christensen (DAN), Barbara Ardu (ITA), Eduard de Wolff Van Westerrode (HOL), Kjell Myhre (NOR), Sandrine Trimborn (FRA), Elke Ebert (ALL), Miguel Goncalvès (ESP) Marlena Gruca Rucinska (POL), Magnus Ringmark (SUE) were on hand to assess the performances of the competing couples in seven classes.
CDIam, Cindy Molls (GER) clinches victory
In the CDIam Prix Saint Georges, German rider Cindy Molls completed the double, taking victory with Heaven Sent TCS (68.794%) and second place with Saphir (67.471%) ahead of three riders from the United Arab Emirates.
CDIYH, Young horses get their bearings
This first day was an opportunity for the horses in the making to get their bearings on the magnificent Jiva Hill arenas in a preliminary round. In the six-year-old class, the powerful black KWPN stallion Maddox Mart (Hennessy) won with a score of 91%, ridden by Germany’s Matthias Alexander Rath. The 7-year-old class was dominated by the KWPN gelding Lord Franklin (Franklin XT) with an average score of 74.572%, ridden by Diana Porsche (AUT). The Westphalian Louis Jiva (Libertad), bronze medallist in the 6-year-old class in 2022, obtained 69.847% under the saddle of Elsa Maulet, in-house rider at Jiva Hill Stables.
CDI1*, German hegemony
Following yesterday’s Prix Saint Georges, won by Anna-Christina Abbelen (ALL) with Quantanamera with a very high average score of 72.470%, the 23 couples competing on this label faced off this time in the challenging Intermediate 1 test. Unsurprisingly, one of the most experienced riders on the circuit, German Frederic Wandres, 10th in the world rankings, three-time senior national champion, winner of the 2019 World Championship for 6-year-old horses and member of the bronze medal-winning team at the 2022 World Championship with Duke of Britain, won with a score of 74% at the controls of the Hanoverian stallion Quizmaster FRH (Quasar de Charry), narrowly edging out his compatriot Anna Christina Abbelena Quantanamera (73. 765%). Dutch rider Dominique Filion, with an average of 70.736% and Jakarta L.E, completed the podium, at the foot of which was Alexia Stullein, French Pro 2 champion riding her partner Dacota 21 with 70.177%.
CDI2* Massa stud in the spotlight
In this first confrontation for this label’s riders, the nine-year-old bay stallion Jadis de Massa, son of Maestro JGB and Amazone de Massa by Hungo JGB, owned by his breeder Sylvain Massa, based in Saint Martin de Crau (13), claimed a promising victory with a score of 67. 735% under the saddle of rider Aude Bongard, ahead of Dutch rider Jennifer Buda/Daily Fun 4 (67.617%) and Swiss rider Gilles Ngovan/Dormello (67.441%). “I’m really happy, it’s our first international and it’s the fruit of a lot of hard work” comments Aude Bongard.
This first day was an opportunity for Jiva Hill Stables to offer an evening event combining sport and gastronomy. Spectators were invited to admire the performances of the CDI2* riders and young hopefuls under the age of 25 while enjoying a gourmet meal on the panoramic terrace of the Jiva Hill Events restaurant with menus prepared by the Lion d’Or.
Tomorrow, Friday August 4, the amateur riders (CDIAm) will compete in their Intermediate 1, then it will be the turn of the CDI2* couples to shine in the Intermediate B, while the CDIU25 and CDI3* riders will attempt to win their respective Grand Prix.