Alison Robitaille and Serise du Bidou. ph: Alden Corrigan
On Thursday, October 5, 2017, USA’s Alison Robitaille won the $36,500 Grand Prix Qualifier at the Sacramento International Horse Show CSI3*-W in California, USA. Last to enter the ring in the jump-off, Robitaille produced the sole clear round aboard Serise du Bidou, the 11-year-old Selle Francais mare (Gin Tonic Star x Fusain Du Defey), to finish in 1st. The two have only shared a partnership for eight months.
“I really haven’t had many jump-off’s with her and we’ve really started to click these last few months. Serise du Bidou has really become a great horse for me, I feel really fortunate,” said Robitaille. “It’s always lucky to go last in a jump-off, especially with no one else being clear. I trusted my horse was going to go clean so I didn’t take the risky inside cuts, and it paid off.”
Forty six horse and rider combinations took to the 1.50m, 12-obstacle-course designed by Brazil’s Marina Azevedo. Seven proceeded to the jump-off, with Robitaille setting a strong pace well within the 42s time allowed, qualifying for Saturdays $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Sacramento, presented by Lasher’s Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram.
“I am very much looking forward to the weekend,” said Robitaille. “It is my first time here at this horse show and today has been a great way to start things off.
Canada’s Keean White and Corette finished in 2nd place with four faults and 33.86s on the clock. The two were closely followed by USA’s Mandy Porter and Milano, who finished on four faults in a time of 34.38s.
The full results can be viewed here.