Kevin Staut, winner of the 5* class (Photo: ©Sportfot)

Some of the riders have entered the horses they’ll be riding in the Longines Grand Prix tomorrow, to make any last minute adjustments, others have entered their young horses to get them used to top level competitions and the atmosphere of six star events. Kevin Staut has chosen For Joy van’T Zorgvliet HDC, a horse that he believes has a lot of potential but who dismounted him in their last competition.

So the main aim today was to get his confidence back. An aim that was amply fulfilled since the couple won the event. “Jean-Maurice Bonneau gave me a few tips for the jump-off, but I didn’t watch the others go round as I didn’t want to be tempted into going too fast”, explained the rider. However, For Joy is a naturally fast horse and his rider, spurred on by the crowd’s encouragement, and with his usual precision and elegance, rode a perfect jump-off, which put him ahead of the Olympic champion Steve Guerdat. This marks yet another victory for Jump Five, the Haras des Coudrettes team, after yesterday’s win by Patrice Delaveau and Lacrimoso 3 HDC in the MIASUKI Trophy.

But for the time being there is a Parisian atmosphere brewing up in the arena. Soon the Bluebell Girls will be making an entrance to liven things up while the riders walk the course. The Masters and best riders of the Prestige Trophy will be under the spotlight for the Prix du Lido de Paris: It’s showtime!

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