Penelope Leprevost has added another win to her World Cup tour, stealing victory from Christian Ahlmann in Lyon on Sunday.

In a field of 40 riders just 7 moved on to the jump-off. There was no room to be conservative as a tight time allowed in round 1 saw more than a few time penalties racked up by the field. Jerome Hurel and Emanuele Gaudiano fell victim to the tight time, 1 fault apiece keeping them from round 2.

It wasn’t just a tight time allowed that kept riders on their toes. Course designer Frank Rothenberger set a tricky line that consisted of an oxer to a combination of 1.60 meter verticals, the first of which fell time and again. It was a bold test for horse and rider and the 7 zero-faulters had clearly brought their A game.

Romain Duguet had a clean and tidy jump-off in 42.27 seconds, but his stay at the top of the leaderboard was fleeting as Christian Ahlmann and Taloubet Z clocked in at 41.27. The pressure was one for the two remaining riders, Leprevost and Simon Delestre.

Leprevost and her 10 year-old Flora di Mariposa appeared unfazed at the task ahead, setting a fast pace from the beginning and taking everything in stride. The seamless ride was fast at 40.64 which resulted in a second big win for Leprovost and Flora this World Cup season.

“I saw Romain go very very fast. And Christian Ahlmann just before me was very fast. I said I don’t know if I can but Flora can,” Leprovost said with a smile after her win. Of Flora, the French rider couldn’t rider couldn’t say enough, “Flora is just amazing. She had three classes, she wins those three classes.”

Leprovost sits at the top of the Western European League leaderboard, with Romain Duguet and Harrie Smolders sitting in second and third. It’ll be an exciting group to watch as the season continues!

Results from Lyon
1. Penelope Leprevost – Flora Di Mariposa
2. Christian Ahlmann – Taloubet Z
3. Romain Duguet – Quorida De Treho

Source: FEI, Louise Parkes