The Leg 5 Jardy Eventing Show Day 1 Round Up

Top 3 overnight:
 
1st Alex Bragg (GBR) & Zagreb - 23.6
2nd Karim Laghouag (FRA) & Entebbe de Hus -  23.9
3rd Izzy Taylor & Be Touchable – 25.1
 
As predicted the 1stday of Leg 5 at Haras de Jardy produced some top-class sport. Smashing their personal best of 27.6 set at Barbury 2017, the overnight leaders Alex Bragg (GBR) and Zagreb have a CIC3* Cross Country Clear rate of 92% and “love to jump on a surface”.
 
Speaking after his test Alex said, “Zagreb is feeling great after his summer break, things didn’t quite go to plan in the Spring but the surface here gave him a great chance to express himself. He’s a really genuine jumper and he’s feeling amazing so I’ll keep pressing the buttons and we’ll see what we can do tomorrow.”
 
Leading France’s Bastille Day charge, Karim Laghouag (FR) and Entebbe de Hus put in a stellar performance to score a 23.9. The pair go into tomorrow’s jumping in 2nd place.
 
“I am very, very happy, thank you very much for the competition Event Rider Masters. Last year it was Michael (Jung), this year it is me! Entebbe de Hus is my friend and I am very happy.” Said Karim.
 
With 421 International runs under her belt, Izzy Taylor was EquiRatings “one to watch” coming into Leg 5. Along with Be Touchable, Izzy produced a super test for a score of 25.1 and 3rd place overnight.
 
“I’d have liked to have been a bit closer to the top or better still in the lead today. Barbury wasn’t ideal but it is part of our job to stay calm and focussed. We have to learn and move on.
We couldn’t do it without our owners and sponsors and it is wonderful when they can be here to see when we do well.” Commented Izzy.
 
Sitting in 4thovernight are worldwide favourites, Tim Prize (NZL) and Wesko on a strong 25.2 just 0.1 point behind Izzy in 3rd. With Wesko making his return to competition after a 2 year break, an emotional Tim told us what it was like to be back dancing with his best friend,
 
“It just shows the showman that he is. You wouldn’t normally expect a horse to focus like that on their first time out. It’s like I think it and he does it. He’s a jumping machine and does this bit just to get through to the fun bits. We’re really looking forward to tomorrow.”
 
Leading for the first two sessions, first to go the former world and curent Olympic Champion, Michael Jung (GER) set a high standard for the rest of the field by posting a score of 26.9 on young mare Corazon. Haras de Jardy is a happy hunting ground for Michael who won here last year with another inexperienced young horse, Star Connection. He goes into the jumping inside the top 10.