Ireland on the top step of the podium in the Prix CWD FEI Jumping Ponies' Trophy

The Irish rider Paddy Reape put in a great performance to win the Prix CWD FEI Jumping Ponies' Trophy in Lyon on Friday morning. He put in a blistering ride to complete his clear round in 56’’76. None of the other twenty-nine couples that started the class could match his performance on this 1.25m course.

"I competed in Lyon last year too, and I did quite well with a fifth place. But, this time, it's even better!" said the 15-year-old Irish rider. The story is all-the-more wonderful because the rider was riding Valma de Fougnard: "A pony bred in France, which I have been riding for two years. Her mother is Kantje's Ronaldo, and she is really fast," he adds. The pony and rider, who were part of the Irish delegation at the last European Pony Championships in the summer, recorded a great win here. This performance bodes well for the rest of the competition.

France was represented on the podium in this class, with Jack Conlon Gateau and Samba van de Groenheuvel taking second place. The young French rider also managed to go under the symbolic 60-second mark, with a time of 58'94. Two other French couples finished in the top 10: Axelle Pottier was fourth with Wvalnut Grove du Pena and the French champion Emma Gay le Breton was sixth with Bad Boy du Beau Mont.

 

1. Paddy Reape (IRL) and Valma de Fougnard: 0 - 56’’76

2. Jack Conlon Gateau (FRA) and Samba van de Groenheuvel: 0 - 58’’94

3. Bethany Vos (NDL) and Still Got me: 0 - 60’’20