Swiss rider Steve Guerdat, winner of the Saur Prize and the La Baule Derby – Demeures de Campagne, was the standout performer on the third day of the Jumping International de La Baule – Officiel de France. On Sunday, the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule, a prestigious Rolex Series event, will bring the competition to a spectacular close.
The crowd’s standing ovation seemed to last forever. First, early in the afternoon following the Saur Prize (1.50m, with a jump-off). Then again later, after the La Baule Derby – Demeures de Campagne. Two major classes, two masterclasses from Steve Guerdat (world No. 10), the 2012 Olympic champion, three-time World Cup Final winner, 2023 European champion, and victor of numerous Grand Prix events. And with each podium finish came a wave of emotion.
These heartfelt tributes were richly deserved in light of the performances delivered by one of the crowd’s favorite riders, first aboard the mare Lancelotta and then with the stallion Easy Star de Talma. In the Saur Prize, the second-richest individual class of the show, Guerdat, last to go among the 17 jump-off qualifiers (from a field of 67 starters), put on a masterclass in precision and track management, shaving 0.83 seconds off the time set by McLain Ward (world No. 14) and High Star Hero, who had seemed untouchable until then. Egypt’s Nayel Nassar, riding Orphea HQ, finished third.
Once again last to go in the starting order, Guerdat faced an equally daunting challenge after the round delivered by his compatriot Martin Fuchs, who had set the pace aboard the mare Love de Vie. For a long time, Fuchs looked set to emulate his father Thomas, winner of this Derby in 1983 with Willora Carpets. A true enthusiast of this unique class, Guerdat immediately established a very fast rhythm aboard the Selle Français stallion who had already carried him to victory last year. At the final intermediate checkpoint, only four hundredths of a second separated the two riders. By the finish line, Guerdat had extended the margin to 0.81 seconds, securing a second consecutive triumph.“I knew I had to go almost four seconds faster than last year to win,” he said. “Easy Star jumped even better than he did last year. At no point did I feel him struggling. Personally, I enjoyed it a little less because I had the clock on my mind the whole way around. But the joy is immense after such an incredible day. On Friday, I was a bit disappointed with my Coupe de Nations performance. Lancelotta jumped very well, but we had a rail down in both rounds. The same thing happened in thursday’s qualifier, so I wasn’t qualified for the Grand Prix. My spirits were a little low. This morning, I took my horses to the beach. When we came back, I saw people already lining up to get in. It’s a privilege to be here, to compete at shows like La Baule where the atmosphere is always extraordinary. I told myself it was a new day, with two great classes ahead, and that I needed to make the most of it. My mare was fantastic in the Saur Prize. She loves jump-offs and enjoys going fast. She trusts me. The jump-off was brilliant, and it motivated me even more for the Derby. I have a lot of natural obstacles at home because I like being close to nature. My horses are used to them and enjoy jumping this kind of course. To take two victory laps in La Baule gives you goosebumps. I feel so good here.”
Martin Fuchs Sets His Sights on Sunday
Runner-up Martin Fuchs chose to focus on the positives from his day.“The Derby and the Grand Prix are two magical classes. Whenever I come to La Baule, I hope to win one of them. Finishing second is good as well because I’m very happy with my mare, Love de Vie. It was her first Derby and she performed really well. I’m going to enter her in other Derbies. It’s also very encouraging ahead of sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix. I’ll be competing with Conner Jei, who loves this arena. He made his first appearance here six years ago. He loves France.”
The podium was completed by Colombia’s René Lopez Lizarazo, winner of the Derby in 2018 with Destiny’s Child.“It was the first time my mare had tackled a course like this. I’m really pleased with her and delighted to be here at such a wonderful show. It’s just a shame there were two Swiss riders ahead of me today!” Nicolas Layec, runner-up in last year’s Derby with Georgio Louvo Z, was the highest-placed French rider this time, finishing fifth.
Camille Condé Ferreira Wins the CSI 1* Montaigu Dairy Derby
In the CSI 1* classes, the La Baule Événements – Palais des Congrès Atlantia Prize (1.30m, two-phase competition) saw Italy’s national anthem played thanks to 21-year-old Annabel Frish and Daisy du Tertre. She finished ahead of Camille Condé Ferreira aboard Hydra Mouche and Jean-Baptiste Jegousso riding (Era Mag II.)
The Derby Laiterie de la Laiterie de Montaigu once again smiled on Camille Condé Ferreira, just as it did last year. This time, she claimed victory with Kairos Romaneira Z, a mare of only seven years old, finishing five seconds clear of Margret Tangerino on Hors Série du Sol and Marie Dagorne with Elsa Gravelotte.
“It’s fantastic to win again, and with a different mare,” said the French rider. “Kairos is a small mare, but she has tremendous ability. The Derby is such a fun class. I really enjoy it, especially with a mare that is so willing and wasn’t intimidated at all despite being only seven years old.“I’m also very happy to win this class on behalf of Montaigu Dairy, my partner. Their employees were here today, so it’s a wonderful gift for them, as they always support us so enthusiastically. It’s also a great reward for Caroline Sablereau and her team, who invest so much effort and dedication.”
The Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule to Crown the Event
On Sunday, the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule will provide the grand finale to four days of competition. As part of the prestigious Rolex Series, a circuit that brings together some of the sport’s most distinguished events, forty-five horse-and-rider combinations will be aiming to succeed Germany’s Daniel Deusser, last year’s winner aboard Otello de Guldenboom. Among the nine qualified French combinations are three of the four riders who helped France secure victory in Friday’s prestigious Barrière Nations Cup: Nina Mallevaey, Antoine Ermann, and Julien Épaillard. They will be hoping to hear La Marseillaise played once again, five years after Nicolas Delmotte and Urvoso du Roch claimed victory in the class.
The CSI 1* riders will open the day’s sport early in the morning with the Prix Tomate Jouno, followed by the Prix Emma Pâtisserie, before the weekend concludes with the Range Rover Grand Prix (1.35m, with a jump-off).