The latest of the CIX Indoor Eventing competitions took place on Friday evening in France with the very popular Devoucoux Indoor Derby at the Jumping International de Bordeaux
It was an evening for the home crowd to savour with three French eventing stars taking to the podium; in first place Karim Florent Laghouag and Punch De L’Esques, Luc Chateau on Propriano De L’Ebat in second and Rodolphe Schere riding Todd De Suzan in third
In 2019 Michael Jung took the top place but this year Karim claimed his crown back, having won here three times previously and he was delighted with his ‘birthday’ horse that specialises in these types of course
Karim Florent Laghouag and Punch De L’Esques Photo courtesy Christophe Bricot
“It’s a horse that I’ve had for a long time” said Karim “He arrived at my house as a four-year-old and he turned 17 today. It’s a nice gift as he is on top form; we saw the veterinarians who told me he is top condition. He is very good, he loves the atmosphere, he is more and more calm, even in this testing format”
Luc Chateau on Propriano De L’Ebat (above) and Rodolphe Schere riding Todd De Suzan (below)
Karim’s strategy of a faultless round paid off when Michael Jung riding Highlighter took a risk towards the end of the course and dropped a pole on the penultimate ‘show jump’ obstacle.
"I almost got grilled by Michael Jung again. He was fast but was forced to go out from his comfort zone which was my goal. I didn't want to take all the risks for not to drop the bar, suddenly, Michael was forced to take risks which cost a fault”
Ireland’s Cathal Daniels, winner at CHI Geneve and Stuttgart on board Alcatraz had to settle for fifth place while Mathieu Lemoine took sixth (watch the full replay below)
