Bosty powerful with Myrtille Paulois

French rider Roger-Yves Bost blasted to victory in the first 5* jump off of the Global Champions Tour in Rio de Janeiro.

Bosty powered into first place with a knife-edge clear round in the jump off with a time of 38.50.

The highly competitive Frenchman took a string of risks with Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois and fired the bay mare into first place with an exciting clear. He clinched top spot and a prize of €13,000 in the €50,000 Governo Do Estado Rio de Janeiro 1m55 class in the floodlit sandy arena.

French compatriot Philippe Rozier delivered a huge final jump to take him to second place with a time of 38.56 on his bay gelding Randgraaf.

Rozier gained time early on in the round and just missed the winning time by a whisker.

With 19 riders through to the jump off American Laura Kraut was second to go and set a fast time of 39.01 on her chestnut mare Teirra. She held the lead for most of the class until the Frenchmen sped ahead of her leaving her in third place. (Below)

Kevin Staut executed a near perfect round on Zeta de Hus and went into fourth place on 39.26.

Champion Brazilian rider Rodrigo Pessoa flew round on Let’s Fly but finished on 39.66 taking him into fifth place.

A significant number of riders decided to press the accelerator even though they were riding their Grand Prix horses in the first big class of the weekend.

But with the substantial prize money on offer, it soon became clear that competition would be fierce opening up a tantalising prospect for a weekend of thrilling show jumping.