Leg 13 of 14 for the Western European League was a packed event at the Parc des Expositions hosting Jumping International Bordeaux.

Pieter Devos (BEL), secure in the knowledge that his place in Basel was secure, produced another stellar performance with the homebred mare Casual DV Z (Cornet Obolensky x Cicero Z van Paemel) to take second place ahead of Willem Greve with the flamboyant 14-year-old stallion Grandorado TN (Eldorado vid Zeshoek x Carolus II) in third. Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Conner Jei took the win in sensational style, two seconds ahead of Pieter and Casual.

Jean-François Morand’s course featured a difficult final line, with a triple combination leading to the finish. But an amazing 12 combos qualified to advance to the jump off where things got extra spicy right down to the final ride.

Devos, a master of consistency this season aboard a selection of equine athletes, delivered another sensational performance with his homebred Casual DV Z. They took a daring inside line which required taking on the vertical midway round the track at an incredibly acute angle with little time to present the horse at the fence. This line saved them two to three strides on their rivals and saw them stop the clock in 39.54 to slot into second place with five athletes remaining. None of them however could post a second faultless round.

“She was fifth here last year and this year she’s second, so you can say she has progressed,” said Pieter. “I love this mare, she’s really exceptional. She did three World Cups this winter and was double clear each time. I’m going to ride her in the final in Basel.”   

“She was the youngest horse in the jump-off (at ten years old). She has done three World Cups this season and had three double clears” he told before congratulating Fuchs for his victory and Morand for producing a jump-off of 12 which he believes is “very good for the public”.