Jumping Test Events: d'Ornano is ready!
As the Jumping test events began on Wednesday, June 25th, the Organising Committee were not the only people watching from the stands at D’Ornano Stadium: several thousand spectators were also there to clap and cheer for their favorite riders ! A fair number of competitors who will come back in Caen at the end of August - such as Patrice Delaveau, Pénélope Leprevost, or Abdelkebir Ouaddar - participated to the competitions to display their show jumping prowess, and to get some confidence a couple months before the start of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy.
Wednesday, June 25th – Morning – Competition 1 (1m35)
The buzzing stands of D’Ornano Stadium set the tone for the day! The few thousands of spectators numerous spectators present that morning followed the action with unbridled verve, cheering the riders on and applauding delightedly after every jump. Held over two rounds, the format of the class did not favour all pairs, with the unlucky ones such as Florian Angot on Made de Semilly, Mathieu Billot on Cassandra d’Ick and the USA’s Lauren Hough on Amice only getting to jump seven obstacles.
In the second round, the first clear round without time penalties was completed by the thirteenth competitor to enter the ring, Colombia’s Rodrigo Diaz (34’26), who definitely earned the crowd’s enraptured applause. In his wake, Patrice Delaveau and Quenndal de Lojou*HDC upped the ante with a new fastest time of 28’67. But the Frenchman had not taken into account the spirited Filippo Moyersoen on Loro Piana Biricchina Bella, who was determined to beat the Norman rider
- Filippo Moyersoen (ITA) - Loro Piana Biricchina Bella (26,01)
- Bertram Allen (IRL) - Wrangler II (27,40)
- Frederique Fabre Delbos (SUI) - Niverana Basters (27,78)
Wednesday, June 25th – Afternoon – Competition 2 (1m40)
An extraordinary atmosphere prevailed at D’Ornano Stadium during afternoon with over 6,000 spectators ! In a jump-off of nineteen riders, Normandy native Mathieu Billot triumphed in front of his home crowd, pushing another local rider, Patrice Delaveau, into second place. Ireland’s Bertram Allen completed the podium.
For the first time, the French National Anthem was heard in the stadium !
- Mathieu Billot (FRA) & Pardoes – 0/0/33’13
- Patrice Delaveau (FRA) & Ornella Mail*HDC – 0/0/33’60
- Bertram Allen (IRL) & Wild Thing L – 0/0/34’47
Thursday, June 26th – Morning – Competition 3 – Speed competition Table A (1m40)
Things were a bit calmer that morning after the crowds from the previous day: all that could be heard in today’s empty stands were toppling poles. Faults abounded in the 1.40m speed competition, with many competitors coming unstuck over Frédéric Cottier’s tricky course. The quiet, low-key atmosphere of the stadium was perfect for Bertram Allen, who made his third consecutive podium finish.
- Bertram Allen & Wild Thing L - 57'71
- Patrice Delaveau & Quenndal de Lojou*HDC - 59'44
- Dirk Demeersman & Felton du Mont - 59'96
Thursday, June 26th – Grand Prix (1m45)
The 1.45m Grand Prix competition of the test events has come to a close. Under the cloudy skies of Normandy, La Marseillaise once again rang out in D’Ornano Stadium, hailing a French victory.
Eighteen pairs had cleared over Frédéric Cottier’s Grand Prix course, earning a place in the jump-off. The water jump did not cause any major upsets for the competitors: only three pairs had a foot in the water, including a disappointed Philippe Rozier on Phirst du Chai, who had performed a great round otherwise but was thus denied a place in the jump-off.
- Patrice Delaveau & Ornella Mail*HDC – 37’79
- Bertram Allen & Wrangler II – 39’29
- Abdelkebir Ouaddar & Quiclky de Kreisker – 39’75
WHAT THEY SAID...
Pénélope Leprevost: “I think we’ll have everything we need for some great sport. The surfaces are fantastic, the fences look really cool, yeah, it’s a really great atmosphere, and right now there are only positive things to say”.
Patrice Delaveau: "I went into that tunnel there, I came out into this arena and it was really...I was really pleasantly surprised, the venue is fantastic, it’s a stunning stadium, the equipment, the arena, the fences all stand out well. The organisation looks to be in great running order, and I think that the arenas are already very good. In my opinion, the organisers have done a flawless job so far. And as a Frenchman I’m really very proud of this event because I think that those coming from abroad will think it’s superb".
Abdelkebir Ouaddar : "We took advantage of the opportunity to come and train here at d’Ornano Stadium, first because it’s a real pleasure, but also because it’s really impressive. When you compete in a stadium, it’s not the same thing as in a regular arena. So we wanted to come here to get some confidence and to prepare the horses. I loved the warm welcome shown by the French spectators, they’re really supportive every time we compete, regardless of the event, and that gives me a lot of confidence to win other events".
Fabien Grobon: Chairman of the Normandy 2014 Organising Committee
"We wanted to test the things we had listed, which is the surface, as always, the reception of the riders, the federations, the horses, the comfort and smooth-running of all that, and also the spectator reception. D’Ornano Stadium was a third full, already that created a tremendous amount of noise, and when a French rider performed the crowd were euphoric. That’s what I imagine it’ll be like in a few weeks when the real competitions will take place in a full stadium, and so we’re delighted, and I think it’s brilliant to see the teams at work. I’m very proud of the way it’s going and it’s good to watch".