Aaron Vale, who had two major grand prix wins already this year at Devon and Upperville, was in the spotlight across the Atlantic on Sunday in Dinard France, taking the 500,000 Euro Rolex fixture on his stalwart Carissimo 25.
Dinard winner Aaron Vale and Carissimo 25. (Photo by McKenzie Clark for US Equestrian)
Many of the riders from this month’s European Championships tried their luck over the course designed by Jean-François Morand, albeit some with different horses. Top U25 rider Nina Mallevaey of France rode her championships mount Dynastie de Beaufour, but lost her stirrup partway through the tiebreaker and had to settle for third in 40.64. Harrie Smolders of the Netherlands and Mr. Tac made a good effort with 40.51 seconds
Aaron and the horse known as Ducky blew them away in 38.77, and then the rider was ready for his champagne.
“I just had to stay clear and go full throttle,” he said of his round, adding how impressed he was by the atmosphere at the showgrounds.
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