Paul Delforge, winner of the Prestige Trophy (Photo: ©Sportfot)

The young riders have really got the wind up their tails here at the Longines Masters of Paris. On top form right from the start of the competition, Paul Delforge has managed to claim victory this morning in the 1m35 class against the clock, riding Terre du Banney.

Just 18 years old, the young rider (this is his last season in junior classes) couldn’t have hoped for a better result for his first competition at the Longines Masters of Paris. “This is an amazing competition! I’m incredibly lucky to be able to ride here today and mix with the best riders in the world. I’m so pleased that Thierry Pomel (the national trainer for the junior riders) selected me. Everything is perfect and so well-organised…and I’m getting good results! From the showjumping world, having successfully completed his baccalaureate, he is now a full-time rider and rides the horses bred by the “du Banney” family in Haute-Saône and his owner’s horses.

After some great performances throughout the competition, including those of the young French riders Camille Condé and Damien de Chambord, and also the 18 year old Brazilian João Victor Castro, the trend is clear: this year the Prestige Trophy is most definitely a “launching pad” for the Masters of tomorrow.

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