Michel Robert from France and Katapulte, the mare on which he just won the 1.45M - 1.50M competition, has something extra…the type of horse, of course. Pinto horses that have reached the top in this sport are few and far between. However, the mare seems to have reached an important milestone.
 
This win was by no means a photo-finish, since Michel, who finally won his first competition at the Grand Palais, and Katapulte went round the course two seconds faster than the young Swiss rider Janika Sprünger and Komparse, yesterday's winners of the Prix du Grand Palais: "As I left the course, I really didn't think I had won," admitted the veteran rider. "I wanted to go quickly, without overdoing it, but I was surprised to beat Janika." After a long training period – the mare has been working with Michel for five years – Katapulte won her first international competition a month and a half ago in Bordeaux: "This is a turning point in her career. The mare is becoming an adult, but I still take it easy. Everyone keeps asking when I'm going to enter her in a Grand Prix but I want to wait a bit more. I want her to enjoy these classes, to win and after that we will take things a step further. I'm not in a hurry. This is my first win at the Grand Palais; I had never experienced such a success here, even with Kellemoi. It's even more satisfying because the Prix GL events is sort of the "big" class of the day." Even though Katapulte has only just claimed her first international wins, she has been a star for quite a while: "She has her fan club; people like her for her originality, her colour and strong character. When she wants to do a clear round, she does a clear round. She certainly has her supporters in the public." So, this is the beginning a wonderful story, and we cannot wait to reach the "Grand Prix" chapter.