Springsteen In Flying Form

Jessica Springsteen lands her biggest win, Pieter Devos tops the rankings, and Shane Breen rides with a broken leg

- Jennifer Donald

CSI5* LGCT of Ramatuelle / Saint-Tropez, Athina Onassis Horse Show, France

JESSICA SPRINGSTEEN, 27, landed the biggest victory of her career to date when winning the five-star Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix of Ramatuelle/Saint-Tropez on the 12-year-old RMF Zecilie.

“She was flying today!” said Jessica of the Rushy Marsh Farms-owned Acolord x Canturo mare, who came to the stylish US rider from Denis Lynch at the start of 2018.

“She was with me every step of the way and jumped exceptionally. I’m delighted, especially for her owners.”

From an exceptionally strong field of 14 riders who made it through to the jump-off, Jessica was the only female rider.

“But that’s not what counts — before I went into the ring I just focused on my mare and our partnership,” added Jessica.

The US rider cashed out with a €99,000 (£87,780) top prize, having beaten Belgium’s Pieter Devos (Claire Z) into second by a full second, with flying Frenchman Simon Delestre saying he couldn’t have gone any faster to take third with Hermes Ryan.