Guillaume Canet for the win in Los Angeles

The French are definitely on top of their game this weekend at the Longines Masters of Los Angeles. After a tricolor podium sweep last night in the Emirates Gold Cup, Guillaume Canet this morning won the EEM Grand Prix (1.25m) of the National Trophy, with SIEC Ciotto. The famous French actor and movie director closed out his great weekend with beauty, atop of a horse he only met this past Wednesday. “I was loaned two for this competition. I had trouble getting along with one who is really young, but with SIEC Ciotto, who is a little more experienced, the feeling was really good right away. I’m used to riding higher classes, so I think I was a little more experienced than the others at this level. When the horse is easy, and all goes well, I was relaxed enough to make a good round. I felt good. I really wanted to win and Ciotto delivered - that was amazing.”

Feeling a little homesick here in Los Angeles, Guillaume Canet will meet his supportive Parisian crowd during the second leg of the Longines Masters Series, from Dec. 1-4, a competition he really loves. “This show allows me to ride among the world’s best riders. How lucky I am?! It’s really well organized, with great rings, a great course designer, in a perfect structure, with a good atmosphere – I love this series. I think it will keep growing because it’s really an amazing show.” The rider knows the level will be higher, but he has been in good shape for a couple of months now, ranking a few times, and wishing to keep getting better in the future. “I would like to pursue in 2* Grand Prix, I would like to be more consistent. And why not compete in 3* and 4*? If I do well this year, we’ll see!”

He will now closely watch the competition that keeps going on today at the Long Beach Convention Center, especially the Longines Grand Prix that will start at 2:15 p.m. local time. Great sport to come!