News
Hughes and Sintano Van Hof Olympia dominate in Le Mans
- Written By: British Dressage/Joanna Bowns
- Published: Tue, 10 May 2022 13:12
Competing alongside our Youth teams at Le Mans CDI in France (28 April – 01 May 2022), British star Gareth Hughes dominated in the CDI4* with two magical rides aboard his 2021 European Championships partner Sintano Van Hof Olympia, as well as taking home a CDI2* win with Happiness.
Gareth and Sintano Van Hof Olympia (pictured above), who he co-owns with Judy Firmston-Williams, were unanimous winners of Thursday’s Grand Prix qualifier for the Special. A confident, super-harmonious test showing great regularity and expression was awarded a score of 73.087% from the judges panel comprising Jean-Michel Roudier (FRA) at H, Ulrike Nivelle (GER) at C, Maarten van der Heijden (NED) at M, Hans Voser (SUI) at E and Olivier Smeets (BEL) at B.
Another winning ride In the Grand Prix Special for Gareth and Sintano chalked up their second triumph of the week. A miscommunication moving off from the first halt and a small leap coming out of the second pirouette cost some marks in an otherwise masterful round. A score of 72.234% propelled them to the top of the podium ahead of the home nation’s Corentin Pottier and Gotilas du Feuillard (71.000%), and Spain’s Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo with Euclides Mor who completed the top three (70.574%).
“We were very happy with him,” commented Gareth about the exciting 12-year-old Sandro Hit son. “Although we had a couple of silly mistakes in the Grand Prix Special, he was really secure in the difficult work, and he marked well.”
The scopey bay gelding, who shows immense natural ability, rose to prominence last year to be selected as reserve for Tokyo before going on to achieve team silver at the European Championships in Hagen.
“This is his second full year at Grand Prix, and he’s now more secure in the lines,” explained Gareth. “This means that I can now focus more on the set up. I was really happy - he did a great job.”
Flying the flag for GBR in the CDI2* with Georgina Wilkinson’s bright prospect Happiness (pictured above), Gareth also achieved top placings at Small Tour. On the heels of French winner Arnaud Serre with James Bond de Massa in the Prix St Georges, and finishing fourth in the Inter I, Gareth concluded his week with a convincing Inter I Freestyle win on Sunday.
Dancing to a collection of timeless 80s hits, Gareth and ‘Happy’, as the 12-year-old son of Chippendale is known, delivered a beautifully presented performance for 74.317% to top the class by an almost four percent lead.
“Happiness – the name just suits him so well!” smiled Gareth. “He’s such a happy, sweet horse. This was his first trip abroad and he was brilliant. In the Inter I we had a sat nav error, which cost us 2% - that was unfortunate – but I was delighted with him. He’ll campaign Small Tour this year and look at stepping up to Grand Prix in 2023.”
Results – top three and British placings
CDI4* Grand Prix (Qual. for Special)
1. Gareth Hughes and Sintano Van Hof Olympia, 73.087% (GBR)
2. Pauline Basquin and Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE, 70.522% (FRA)
3. Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo and Euclides Mor, 70.196% (ESP)
CDI4* Grand Prix (Qual. for Freestyle)
1. Charlotte Chalvignac and Elice, 69.848% (FRA)
2. Camille Judet Cheret and Scoop de Bois Luric, 69.761% (FRA)
3. Morgan Barbançon and Bolero, 69.000% (FRA)
10. Thomas Goode and Dior, 65.174% (GBR)
CDI4* Grand Prix Special
1. Gareth Hughes and Sintano Van Hof Olympia, 72.234% (GBR)
2. Corentin Pottier and Gotilas du Feuillard, 71.000% (FRA)
3. Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo and Euclides Mor, 70.574% (ESP)
CDI4* Grand Prix Freestyle
1. Charlotte Chalvignac and Elice, 73.815% (FRA)
2. Morgan Barbançon and Bolero, 73.660% (FRA)
3. Camille Judet Cheret and Scoop du Bois Luric, 72.895% (FRA)
CDIU25 Intermediate II
1. Alejandero Oliva Lazaro and Décor, 72.745% (ESP)
2. Adrian Roldan Narvaez and Floyd, 69.902% (ESP)
3. Sarah Lopez and Diablo de Saint Val, 68.627% (FRA)
6. Anna Jesty and Flow Motion, 64.265% (GBR)
CDIU25 Grand Prix 16-25
1. Alejandero Oliva Lazaro and Décor, 70.769% (ESP)
2. Sarah Lopez and Diablo de Saint Val, 67.607% (FRA)
3. Alexandre Cheret and Bamona, 67.479% (FRA)
CDI2* Prix St Georges
1. Arnaud Serre and James Bond de Massa, 71.471% (FRA)
2. Gareth Hughes and Happiness, 71.177% (GBR)
3. Florine Kienbaum and Game of Thrones, 69.647% (GER)
CDI2* Intermediate I
1. Arnaud Serre and James Bond de Massa, 72.471% (FRA)
2. Carlos Pinto and Joolz de la Gesse, 70.500% (POR)
3. Florine Kienbaum and Game of Thrones, 69.735% (GER)
4. Gareth Hughes and Happiness, 69.059% (GBR)
CDI2* Intermediate I Freestyle
1. Gareth Hughes and Happiness, 74.317% (GBR)
2. Amber de Groot and Homemade, 70.592% (NED)
3. Marine Subileau and Deauville de Hus, 70.017% (FRA)
Photo © Les Garennes
Words: British Dressage/Joanna Bowns
