At just 27 years of age, world No. 1 Martin Hölle clearly gave his rivals no chance in Haras Du Pin. In this first dressage test, he dominated a field of the discipline’s stars and took a small lead ahead of tomorrow’s marathon. In the lead at mid-day, French driver François Dutilloy is still in touch with the best, in 6th place this evening. Franck Grimonprez (FRA), world no. 2, is logically the closest to the leader, just three points behind. Tomorrow’s marathon (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) promises to be technical and difficult, making the current ranking a very provisional one.

CAI Le Pin au Hara 2023 -Dressage Results

What do you think of the new competition site?

Martin Hölle: This complex goes far beyond any place I’ve competed in since I started out. In horse driving, it’s not usual to have four arenas side by side of the same quality. Everything is just perfect. We’re delighted to be taking part in this competition, and that the World Championship will be held here at the end of September. The site is perfectly suited to hosting a championship. Sometimes we go to sites that are a bit average, but here, everything is incredible. Bravo for all your hard work!

Is this your first visit to the Haras du Pin?

Martin Hölle: Yes, we stopped by in March while the site was still under construction, so we didn’t see everything. They’ve done some simply incredible work in just four months.

You’re one of the best drivers in the world. Does competing here, in a new environment, put extra pressure on you?

Martin Hölle: The competition arena is very quiet. You can go straight from xarm-up to the arena without being disturbed. The flags are far away, the public too, the music isn’t too loud. It was really good for the horses.

Did your dressage test meet your expectations?

Martin Hölle: I’m very happy with my dressage. The horses behaved well. It was the best test we’ve done this season. When I came out of the arena, a lot of great drivers and trainers came to congratulate me. It was even better than the points I got on the test, because a lot of my rivals thought I’d get between 34 and 35 points, so I was a bit surprised. Today, the judges saw things differently and we still have to respect their decisions. That’s their role and we have to accept it.

How comfortable is first place?

Martin Hölle: She still is! (laughs) That means the others are going to have to outdo themselves to beat me over the next two days. Obviously, it all depends on the points difference. The bigger it is, the more comfortable it is, the smaller it is, the more pressure you’re under, and pressure is good for motivation.

Do you feel any pressure in the run-up to the marathon?

Martin Hölle: Obviously, tomorrow is another day. There’s a very strong field of leaders. Most of them are aiming for an individual medal at the World Championships in September.

What do you think of the marathon?

Martin Hölle: I think it will be really difficult. Not necessarily the lines and bends, because they’re technical. But the obstacles are on a slope, none of them flat. Going up and down is always demanding on the horses. That’s going to make the difference tomorrow.

Franck Grimonprez (FRA), Second Place in Dressage Pairs

Your dressage test went rather well

Franck Grimonprez:We can be pleased with the teams’ work. The score’s right despite the mistakes. We still have potential and that’s good for September.

Was it your goal to prepare for the World Championship?

Franck Grimonprez: We’ve been completely on schedule with our preparation for two years now, since the World Championships take place every two years. In the first year, we select the horses, and in the second, we match them up. We have nine horses and two drivers, François Dutilloy and myself. ATEL Compétition is a horse-drawn carriage manufacturer, the last one in France, and it’s a whole team that loves horses and carriage driving.

Isn’t it too much to bear to be the leader of the French team when you enter in the arena?

Franck Grimonprez: It’s not something we say to ourselves before we hit the arena. It’s our values that allow us to be there: commitment, simplicity and humility. You have to be very humble with the horses. We’re under no more pressure than usual. At the moment, we’re thinking first and foremost about how we’re going to perform, not making little mistakes like the ones we made today, correcting them for the next time, and getting the satisfaction of the team around us with a smile on our faces.

Does moving to this new facility change the game?

Franck Grimonprez: First and foremost, this site is exceptional, and one of the three most beautiful multidisciplinary clusters in France, and perhaps in Europe. The pressure we can feel when faced with these top-quality facilities is the unknown. We like to compete on familiar ground. It’s a very good omen that we’ve been able to compete in this CAI ahead of the World Championships. It prepares us in the best possible way. We can see that the main arena has just been completed, so it’s going to take a little time to get it right. As much as I’d like to dislike it, I’d like it to rain well between now and September. All the other trails are exceptional. It’s a pleasure to come to the Haras du Pin.

Bravo to the Département de l’Orne, the Région Normandie and the French State, who invest our taxes in this type of investment so that everyone can benefit.

What do you think of the marathon?

Franck Grimonprez: It’s going to be tough. We’re going to go up the plain rather than down. We’re going to go up a level after each obstacle. It’s going to be tough on the horses. We’ll have to manage recovery well. As for the obstacles, they’re tricky. The n°2/3/4 are very similar. You have to be able to walk them with your groom, because driving is a team sport, and everyone has to be able to remember the right order to go through the gates. This marathon will be tough and selective. The technical team, whom I’d like to thank, is offering us a fine international event. They do a great deal of work behind the scenes. We’re just passing through, while they prepare, manage and dismantle.

CAI Le Pin au Hara 2023 -Dressage Results