Denis Lynch and Rubens LS La Silla clinch victory in the Derby Région Pays de la Loire

Saturday was Derby day! The spectators are aware of this and arrive early in the hopes of securing a spot in the grandstand, where they will eagerly await the course's opening, as tradition demands.

Denis Lynch and Rubens LS La Silla clinch victory in the Derby Région Pays de la Loire

Saturday was Derby day! The spectators are aware of this and arrive early in the hopes of securing a spot in the grandstand, where they will eagerly await the course's opening, as tradition demands. They had to leave the arena a bit sooner than normal this year, though, since the public was in for a surprise. Indeed, three military parachutists landed on the track of the François André stadium, at the request of amateur rider François Tanguy, to present Isabelle Leroy, vice-president of the Region, with the Derby Région Pays de la Loire trophy. Then it was time for some sport. Fourteen pairings were on the starting list for Frédéric Cottier's 22 obstacle course.


Nicolas Delmotte, second to enter the François André stadium arena with the promising Denerys du Montceau, piqued the public's interest at La Baule with a stunning clear round in 139.61 seconds. Enough to put the other rivals under strain. Particularly on Irishman Mark McCauley, who was faster with Miebello (131.12 seconds) but had a fencing fault.

The French pair appeared to be on their way to victory, but they had to ignore Irish rider Denis Lynch, who had previously won the tournament on Night Train in 2012. He not only achieved a clean round this time with Rubens LS La Silla, but he also demonstrated that he was faster (132.10 seconds). Denis Lynch and Rubens LS La Silla, ahead of Nicolas Delmotte and Denerys du Montceau, are the victors of the 2022 Derby Région Pay de la Loire. Mark McCauley and Miebello are third and fourth, respectively.

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