GCT Cannes: Silvana*HDC in top form
Cannes still welcomed a step of the Global Champions Tour. As last year, Kevin Staut was accompanied with Silvana*HDC, with who he ranked 3rd in the Grand Prix. This year it was the turn of his new recruit to take part in the major class of the event.
Kevin Staut: "Cannes is a competition that Silvana appreciates particularly . She performs every time great performances there. This year, she did not take part in Grand Prix, my wish being to preserve her so that she can again participate in beautiful events throughout the season. My new mare, Elky, having some experience on this kind of classes, it was natural that I engage her in the Grand Prix. Silvana performed a good competition, even if she commits a small fence down in the big class on Friday. It is an unlucky fence down which deprives us of the jump-off, but I am delighted by the way whose Silvana jumped. She is in top form. She will jump in Monaco for the GCT, next week. Between Shanghai and Monte Carlo, Cannes served her as a repetition.
10th in the 1,45 m class of the first day, Elky made a very beautiful first round in the Grand Prix. In the second round, I decided to accelerate after we have made our first fence down, to try to get a good accessit as I knew we were not going to get on podium. Than I maybe took too much risks... The second fence down arrived and our hopes flew away. I blame myself because Elky jumped really very well. We begin to know us better and I really have a good feeling with her. In Cannes, it was only our second Grand Prix together, after Antwerpen where we finished 7th. We still have to improve some small details and after, I think she will be extremely competitive.
Even if I do not get the expected rankings, Cannes was a good competition. This allowed me to confirm the morale of Silvana and to get to know a little more Elky.
This week I will not be in Rotterdam, as initially planned. In agreement with Philippe Guerdat, we took the decision not to integrate myself in the team that will compete in the Nations Cup.
I'll stay at the stables to work with my horses and to spend time with my team. It's important for me to talk with my stable's team. They are at home all week long, ensure the proper functioning of the stables every day, so it is important that we can come together to discuss, share our opinions… in order to make evolve our system and always be at the highest level. I will also enter Ayade and For Joy on national classes in Deauville."