CSI 5* - Bosty the rocket strikes early in the Prix Groupama

The CSI 5* competition got under way on Friday with a 1.50m class over two rounds. And France got off to a great start as Roger-Yves Bost and Ballerine de Vilpion took first place.

However, for a long time, it looked as if the crowd were not going to be treated to the music of Marseillaise in this opening class of the CSI 5* competition. It was the German rider Kendra Claricia Brinkop with Ma Belle who first led the way. The rider from the Stephex stables completed her clear round in a time of 31''09. It was not until another 18 pairs had come and gone that Romain Duguet and Bel Canto de Boguin, who started 19th in the class, managed to lower Kendra Claricia Brinkop's time. The Swiss rider did not waste many seconds on his way to the finish line, clocking a time of 30"74. But Bosty the rocket aimed to have the final word! The French rider had clearly not come here to be make up the numbers. Taking advantage of the speed of Ballerine du Vilpion (the daughter of Baloubet du Rouet), he tightened his turns as much as possible. The Lyon crowd had to hold their breath when the vertical entering the double in the last straight wobbled, but they were finally delighted to see one of their favourite riders complete a clear round in 29''88. The six remaining pairs did not manage to take first place from the Olympic team champion from Rio. 

"It's my first win this year in Lyon and I'm always happy to win here. I could feel the audience were behind me. Ballerine was great. She already did a clear round last Sunday in the Grand Prix 4* in Saint-Lô. And she loves the arena here in Lyon. She's a very quick horse. The format of the class also allowed me to gallop without losing any control. Tonight, I'm riding Delph (de Denat*HDC) in the Grand Prix Longines. If I qualify for the Equita Masters on Saturday evening, Delph will  be the one to do it", said Roger-Yves Bost. 

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