On Friday in St Tropez, we saw Turkish rider Derin Demirsoy and the fifteen-year-old Diamant de Semilly’s son Elzas win the second 5* class. In February 2022, Derin Demirsoy took over the reins of Elzas. With his previous rider, Italy’s Giulia Martinengo Marquet, Elzas had many placings at the 5* level and has continued in this form with Demirsoy.
Elzas’s lineage is a testament to the rich heritage of showjumping, as he is the son of the renowned world number one, Diamant de Semilly, and the grandson of the legendary Cornet Obolenksy. This prestigious pedigree, with its illustrious history and proven success, is a source of inspiration and admiration for all showjumpers.
Diamant de Semilly changed the world of showjumping breeding. Diamant, like many of his offspring, competed at the international level. He has also shown his worth as a sire of sires; we see his sons Emerald van’t Ruytershof and Diarado just outside the top ten on the WBFSH Sire Rankings for Showjumping.
Cornet Obolensky is commonly seen not only as the sire but also as the damsire of horses making their mark in the Longines Global Champions Tour. Cornet Obolensky, a son of Clinton, was just as successful in sport as in breeding; it is said that he is one of the most successful stallions of modern showjumping. He has bred many top-level winners and sires. Like Diamant, Cornet Obolensky has sons on the WBFSH Sire Rankings; his son, Comme Il Faut, takes tenth place in the showjumping rankings. We also see Cornet Obolensky in many pedigrees of South African showjumpers.
Elzas and Derin are known for being quick, and today was no different. With a speedy round, they clinched victory!