© PSV J.Morel
FEI Dressage World Cup Grand Prix presented by CRE-ARA: French rider Anne-Sophie Serre to open the class
There will be 16 pairs competing in the FEI Dressage World Cup Grand Prix presented by CRE-ARA on Thursday 2 November, in what looks like a dress rehearsal for certain major upcoming events, such as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Following the traditional draw, destiny chose the French rider Anne-Sophie Serre and Jibraltar de Massa to open the ball at 8.30am. The rest of the French riders will be spread throughout the class. Arnaud Serre will be the fifth rider to enter the arena to perform his routine on the superb James Bond de Massa. Cheered on by the crowd in Lyon, Pauline Basquin and Sertorius de Rima Z*IFCE will be the seventh pair to compete, while Alexandre Ayache will be the tenth rider to take to the arena, riding his favourite mare Jolene. The French fans will be particularly watching out for Morgan Barbançon and Habana Libre A, the pair representing the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region, who will be performing their routine towards the end of the class, in fourteenth position.
As regards the headline international riders, the current world number 3 in the FEI riders' ranking, Denmark's Nanna Skodborg Merrald, will be the third rider to take to the arena, with Blue Hors St Schufro, while the seventh rider in the FEI rankings, Sweden's Patrik Kittel, will start in 15th position with Forever Young HRH.