FEI World Cup: Leprevost leads French charge to win opener in Oslo

Penelope Leprevost leads a France 1-2-3 in the initial leg of the FEI World Cup in Oslo.

Leprevost, riding 10-year-old mare Flora di Mariposa, won a 15-horse ride off to come out on top ahead of compatriots Simon Delestre and Patrice Delaveau in second and third place respectively.

A field of 40 riders tackled a 13-fence course designed by celebrated German course designer Frank Rothenberger. Fellow German Marcus Ehning set the early time to beat, but current European bronze medallist Simon Delestre shaved half a second off Ehning's time before Penelope Leprevost entered the ring.

"In the jump-off, most of the other riders took an inside line (around fence 13) to the double, but I went outside because I didn't want to break the rhythm for Flora, who is anyway always fast - I think maybe that's what made the difference", she explained.

The decision paid off with the winning time of 43.01 seconds, just 0.37 seconds over her French rival as she rode through the timers.