French rider Julien Gonin won the Prix du Conseil Départemental d'Ille-et-Vilaine, the main classe on the first day of Jumping International de Dinard. It was a great opening to the competition, with the great champions already in attendance and determined to shine on Sunday in the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard, the final classe of the competition.

The sun couldn't have missed it! This Thursday, the Jumping International de Dinard opened under blue skies on the magnificent Val Porée arena. The Prix du Conseil Départemental d'Ille-et-Vilaine (1.45m in two phases) was won by Julien Gonin and was the main event on the first day of the CSI 5*, a stage in the Rolex Series, which brings together six CSI and CSIO 5* classes (La Baule, Dinard, Rome, Brussels, Dublin and Wellington). On the splendid grass course that had been perfectly prepared for weeks by the town's gardeners, and on a course designed by Jean-François Morand for many years, the Frenchman took advantage of the great action of Valou du Lys, a 15-year-old Selle Français mare, to set the reference time. "I'm obviously delighted with this win, which kicks off the competition really well,’ says the winner of the day. I was in Sweden last weekend, at the CSIO in Falsterbo, where the conditions weren't easy with heavy ground. So I set out with the idea of doing an easy course on the way there and in the end the mare had a blast and was there for me. She's got a lot of experience now, so it's not complicated for her. She's a tall mare and on a large arena like Dinard, it's ideal and enjoyable. The conditions are really great, it's a real treat." He is ahead of American Mclain Ward (world n15), double Olympic team champion (2004 and 2008) and world champion, also by team (2018), riding First Lady at Dinard. The Rio Olympic team champion, Roger-Yves Bost, riding Ballerine du Vilpion, completed the podium. Sweden's world number 1 Henrik von Eckermann finished just off the podium with Glamour Girl, tied with Belgium's Pieter Devos on Jarina J. The Irish Conor Swail and the French Edward Levy was faster, but a fault relegated them to 28th and 29th place. 

The CSI 3*, CSI 1* and Young Horse competitions starting great

Lucas Fournier and Devin des Caulins ©Sportfot

In the other classes of the day, in the CSI 3*, the American Olivia Chowdry, on Chuck Berry 8, won the Prix Les Estivales de l'Équitation (1.45m time) ahead of French riders Julien Gonin (Estrella de la Batia), Julien Anquetin (Flamby des Forets) and the new French champion pair, Cédric Hurel and Fantasio Floreval Z. Lucas Fournier, on Devin des Caulins, was the fastest of the 17 clear rounds in the Prix YNEIA (1.40m time). He was 84 hundredths faster than Switzerland's Anthony Bourquard on Fifty Fifty Delacense. 

In the CSI 1*, France's François Tanguy (Crickstead des Bois), Mexico's Paola Amilibia and Caroline Baudry (Athina Larquey) were the day's winners in the Prix Institut Esthederm, Prix Vent de Voyage and Prix Datanaute respectively. Finally, in the CSIYH 1* Prix Top 7, the first Young Horse event, Valentin Besnard won with Hello du Gué (Cicero Z) ahead of Bernard Briand Chevalier on Herald d'Emeraude (Emerald Van't Ruytershof) and Marc Dilasser on Hoxane Has (Vigo d'Arsouilles). 

Two CSI 5* classes on the programme on Friday

Friday, the CSI 5* riders will be competing in two classes: the Prix Cordon Group (1.45m time trial) followed by the Prix Mars & Co (1.55m with jump-off) at 5pm. Before this, at 9am the CSI 1* will open the arena with the Prix Institut Esthederm (1.15m time trial) at 11am, followed by the Prix Emeria Dinard Thalasso & Spa (1.25m time trial) and the Prix Vertikal Agencement (1.35m time trial) at 1pm. 
In the sand arena, the Prix Groupe Fabrice Georgelin - Top 7 will kick off the day at 8am with the Young Horses, followed at 10.30am by the CSI 3* with the Prix des Employés Municipaux de Dinard (1.40 m in two phases) then the Prix Defender (1.50 m on time) at 1.30pm.