FEI Classics™: French joy as Astier Nicolas wins first CCI4

Astier Nicolas (FRA) had an excited French crowd on the edges of their seats as he scored his first ever CCI4* win in fantastic style at Les 4 Etoiles de Pau (FRA), opening leg of the FEI Classics™ 2015/2016.

With the hopes of his home country resting on his shoulders and Pau’s Jumping course proving as influential as ever, Nicolas, who was third after Cross Country, rode a skillful clear round on Piaf de B’neville in the Jumping arena.

This put serious pressure on 19-year-old Emily King (GBR) and Olympic, world and European number one Michael Jung (GER), who was down to one horse after withdrawing the overnight leader Halunke FBW at the final Horse Inspection, and, to Nicolas’s evident disbelief, they each had a fence down.

King dropped from second to fourth on Brookleigh, but it was a brave effort at her first CCI4*, and Jung, who has made very few mistakes this year, slipped from first to second on fischerRocana, losing the win by just 0.9 penalty, after the mare hit the third fence.

Tim Price (NZL) and the Dutch-bred Wesko, a reliable horse in the final phase, having started his career in a Jumping yard, rose from fourth to third with an immaculate clear round.

Astier Nicolas is the first French rider to win the CCI4* at Pau since Nicolas Touzaint in 2007 and, to make it even more special, the city of Pau is his home, although he is a familiar face on the British circuit, having been based there for a while.

“I wasn’t at all nervous because I had two riders in front of me and didn’t think I would win,” said Nicolas. “It’s very special to win my first CCI4* in France.”

The French crowd had even more to cheer about when two of the seven clear rounds came from Karim Florent Laghouag (FRA), who rose from eighth to fifth place on the lovely black stallion Entebbe de Hus and from 14th to seventh on Punch de l’Esques.

The young German rider Claas Hermann Romeike, watched anxiously by his Olympic gold medalist father, Hinrich, also kept a cool head, jumping clear on Cato 60 to rise seven places to sixth at only his second CCI4*.

Tim Lips (NED) slipped five places to 11th when Bayro incurred 12 Jumping faults and Andreas Dibowski (GER) was lucky to only drop two places to 12th when FRH Butts Avedon had four fences down. Paul Tapner (AUS) also departed from the top 10, falling from seventh to 17 with an unfortunate six rails down on Indian Mill.

As well as the sad departure of Halunke FBW from the Horse Inspection, Bill Levett (AUS) also withdrew Shannondale Titan, 10th after Cross country. Thirty-three horses completed the competition.

The FEI Classics™ 2015/2016 season has started in style with a thrilling contest. Next, the action moves to the southern hemisphere for the Adelaide International 3 Day Event (AUS) on 19-22 November.

About the Les 4 Etoiles de Pau winner

Astier Nicolas (FRA), 26, is the youngest CCI4* winner this year. He represented France at Pony, Junior and Young Rider level and won an individual silver medal in the Young Rider Europeans at Waregem (BEL) in 2009. His previous best CCI4* result was sixth at Pau in 2012 on Jhakti du Janlie.

Riding Piaf de B’neville, he won the u25 CCI3* at Bramham (GBR) in 2012 and was a member of France’s senior bronze medal team at the 2013 FEI European Eventing Championship in Malmö (SWE).

The combination finished runner up at Saumur CCI3* this year. He was also recently second in the young horse CIC3* at Blenheim and ninth at Boekelo CCI3* (NED) on Spes Addit’Or.

Nicolas is from Pau in France but has been based for some years in Gloucestershire in Great Britain, where he came to study for a degree in equine management at the West of England University at Hartpury College.

Piaf de B’neville is a 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Cap de B’neville.

Astier Nicolas (FRA), riding Piaf de B’neville thrills the French crowd with his first CCI4* win on home ground at Les 4 Etoiles de Pau, first leg of the FEI Classics™ 2015/2016 season. (Trevor Holt/FEI)

Final results

1 Astier Nicolas/Piaf de B’neville (FRA) 38.5 + 0 + 0 = 38.5
2 Michael Jung/fischerRocana FST (GER) 35.4 + 0 + 4 = 39.4
3 Tim Price/Wesko (NZL) 40.0 + 0 + 0 = 40.0
4 Emily King/Brookleigh (GBR) 38.3 + 0 + 4 = 42.3
5 Karim Florent Laghouag/Entebbe de Hus (FRA) 40.6 + 2 + 0 = 42.6
6 Claas Hermann Romeike/Cato 60 (GER) 44.1 + 3.2 + 0 = 47.3
7 Karim Florent Laghouag/Punch de l’Esques (FRA) 49.3 + 0 + 0 = 49.3
8 Sarah Bullimore/Valentino V (GBR) 45.8 + 0 + 4 = 49.8
9 Clare Abbot/Euro Prince (IRL) 49.1 + 1.6 + 0 = 50.7
10 Sir Mark Todd/NZB Campino (NZL) 43.3 + 0 + 8 = 51.3

FEI Classics™ 2015/2016 Leaderboard (after 1 of 6 events)

1 Astier Nicolas (FRA) 15 points
2 Michael Jung (GER) 12
3 Tim Price (NZL) 10
4 Emily King (GBR) 8
5 Karim Florent Laghouag (FRA) 6
6 Claas Hermann Romeike (GER) 5
7 Sarah Bullimore (GBR) 3
8 Clare Abbot (IRL) 2
9 Sir Mark Todd (NZL) 1

Kate Green

FEI Classics™: Michael Jung Strikes Out In Front At Pau

Michael Jung (GER) has made a great start in the CCI4* at Les 4 Etoiles de Pau, first leg of the FEI Classics™ 2015/2016, and is in first and second places after Dressage, with his two horses split by just one penalty.

Pau is one of very few major events that the Olympic champion has yet to win, but he looks to have two excellent chances: he heads the field of 49 on his 2013 European champion, Halunke FBW, an 11-year-old black gelding by Heraldik, and is second on the mare fischerRocana, winner of Kentucky in April.

Both horses, which Jung had brought with him on his “French tour” – he won the six-year-old CIC1* at Le Lion d’Angers (FRA) last weekend – were among the quartet to score below 40.

In contrast to Jung’s mighty record, 19-year-old Emily King (GBR), a member of Britain’s gold medal-winning Young Rider team this year, is competing at her first CCI4*.

The teenager has made quite an impression already and currently holds third place in this stellar field with the brilliant mark of 38.3 on the German-bred Brookleigh, a 13-year-old gelding previously ridden by Clayton Fredericks (AUS). The pair were recently second behind Sir Mark Todd (NZL) and NZB Campino at Ballindenisk CIC3* (IRL).

“I’ve been to Pau lots of times with Mum [Mary King, the 2011 FEI Classics™ winner] and have dreamed of riding here,” said King. “It’s such a lovely, friendly event and I feel very lucky to be here.”

She added: “The Cross Country is quite different to some of the major tracks in England. It’s nice and bold and challenging, but also more twisting and technical. I’m excited about it!”

The home side have plenty to cheer about with Astier Nicolas (FRA) in fourth place on the 12-year-old Piaf de B’neville with the good score of 38.5 and Karim Florent Laghouag (FRA) in sixth place on the 10-year-old black stallion Entebbe de Hus with a mark of 40.6.

The accomplished New Zealand combination of Tim Price and Wesko, Luhmühlen winners in 2014 and Kentucky runners-up behind Jung this year, are fifth on 40.0 penalties. Price’s wife Jonelle is 19th on Faerie Dianimo on 47.7.

Michael Jung (GER) gets off to a good start at Les 4 Etoiles de Pau, first leg of the FEI Classics™ 2015/2016 season, where he is in first and second place after Dressage (pictured here with Halunke FBW). (Trevor Holt/FEI)

Six nations are represented in the top 10: Tim Lips (NED) is seventh on Concrex Bayro, Paul Tapner is the highest-placed Australian in eighth on Indian Mill and Jennie Brannigan is best of the American riders in ninth on Cambalda.

“Indian Mill is in the best form ever, so I’m confident,” said Tapner. “I will be disappointed if he doesn’t finish the Cross Country within the optimum time. I think there’s quite a few potential problem fences out there, but there is no one fence that I’m stressed about.”

Mark Todd (NZL), currently well in touch in 14th place on NZB Campino with a good mark of 43.3, predicts that the water complexes will be influential. “The course looks good with a lot of forward distances,” he said.

“The last water complex could be quite a big effort. There’s a big drop in and a bounce out of it. And I think the two corners in the preceding water are big. There’s lots of places where riders could be caught out.”

First on course tomorrow is Britain’s Sarah Bullimore with Valentino V at 14.00 local time.

Results after Dressage
1 Michael Jung/Halunke FBW (GER) 34.5 penalties
2 Michael Jung/fischerRocana FST (GER) 35.4
3 Emily King/Brookleigh (GBR) 38.3
4 Astier Nicolas/Piaf d’B’neville (FRA) 38.5
5 Tim Price/Wesko (NZL) 38.5
6 Karim Florent Laghouag/Entebbe de Hus (FRA)
7 Tim Lips/Concrex Bayro (NED) 40.9
8 Indian Mill/Paul Tapner (AUS) 42.3
9 Jennie Brannigan/Cambalda (USA) 42.6
10 Bill Levett/Shannondale Titan (AUS) 42.9

Kate Green

Fei Classics™: Klimke And Fox-Pitt Share Dressage Lead At Pau

Two of the world’s most illustrious riders are sharing the lead after the Dressage phase at Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA), opening leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.

Germany’s Ingrid Klimke, riding the 10-year-old Horseware Hale Bob, and William Fox-Pitt (GBR), with the 14-year-old Parklane Hawk, were the only two riders to score below 40 penalties and they are now tying for the lead at this stage on 39.3 penalties apiece.

Klimke, who has won numerous team gold medals for Germany, has yet to win a CCI4*. It is her first visit to Pau since the FEI European Championships were held at the French venue, a racehorse-training centre, in 2001.

“My horse, ‘Bobby’, has proved he can do the CCI4* distance when he completed Luhmuhlen this year,” she said. “He is sharp and clever and I’m looking forward to riding him across country.”

Fox-Pitt, in contrast, is a regular at Pau and has won it twice, in 2011 on Oslo and last year on Seacookie, the horse on which he is currently lying in fifth place with a score of 41.8.

“I couldn’t split my two horses,” he said. “Seacookie has got good memories of Pau and when he feels confident, he can do anything. ‘Parker’ has had a few issues this year and has missed some runs, but he is on good form. The only problem is that he is a strong, fast horse and I am wondering whether I will be able to hold him on the Cross Country.”

Andreas Dibowski (GER), the 2010 Pau winner, is in close contention in third place on FRH Butts Avedon, only 1.4 penalties behind the joint leaders.

Britain’s Nicola Wilson was visibly thrilled with her CCI4* first-timer One Two Many after scoring 41.2 penalties. The 12-year-old by Chacoa won the CIC3* at Blair Castle (GBR) in August.

The young Belgian rider, Julien Despontin, 25, has made a good start to his first CCI4* and is in sixth place on 43.7 on Waldano 36, just ahead of the Kentucky (USA) runners-up and Pau first-timers Lauren Kieffer (USA) and Veronica (44.2).

Ingrid Klimke (GER) and Horseware Hale Bob, joint leaders with William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Parklane Hawk after today’s Dressage phase, are ready to take on tomorrow’s Cross Country at Les Etoiles de Pau, the opening leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Trevor Holt/FEI)

Pierre Michelet’s (FRA) Cross Country, which follows a twisting route on and off the racecourse and is 30 seconds longer than in 2013, is, as ever, earning the riders’ respect. Fox-Pitt deems it even more challenging than last year.

First out on course tomorrow 14.00 CEST is Ireland’s Joseph Murphy on Sportsfield Othello.

Follow all the action live on FEI TV (www.feitv.org), with live results on http://www.event-pau.fr

Results after Dressage
1 Ingrid Klimke/Horseware Hale Bob (GER) 39.3
1 William Fox-Pitt/Parklane Hawk (GBR) 39.3
3 Andreas Dibowski/FRH Butts Avedon (GER) 40.7
4 Nicola Wilson/One Two Many (GBR) 41.2
5 William Fox-Pitt/Seacookie TSF (GBR) 41.8
6 Julien Despontin/Waldano 36 (BEL) 43.7
7 Lauren Kieffer/Veronica (USA) 44.2
8 Pippa Funnell/Redesigned (GBR) 44.5
9 Francis Whittington/West Side (GBRT) 45.8
10 Joseph Murphy/Electric Cruise (IRL) 46.3

Full results on http://www.event-pau.fr

Kate Green

Fei Classics™: New Season Starts At Pau With All-Star Cast

An elite group of riders have gathered in south-west France for Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA), the start of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. The premier French event is the first of the popular series that links the world’s six CCI4*s.

World number one William Fox-Pitt (GBR), who won the FEI Classics™ 2013/2014 with victories at Pau and Kentucky (USA) last year, is bidding to stamp his authority on the new season. He has entered two former CCI4* winners: Parklane Hawk (Burghley 2011 and Kentucky 2012) and Seacookie, the horse he rode to victory in Pau 12 months ago.

Andreas Dibowski (GER) is another former winner of the French four-star, in 2010 on another mare, FRH Fantasia. This time he rides FRH Butts Avedon, an 11-year-old gelding that finished ninth at Luhmühlen (GER) last year.

Dibowski’s compatriot Ingrid Klimke, a member of the all-conquering German team at the last four senior championships, has another CCI4* horse in the making in Horseware Hale Bob, a 10-year-old Oldenburger gelding which completed Luhmühlen this year.

Pau has received 35 entries from 10 nations, with key combinations to watch including the Kentucky 2013 runners-up, Lauren Kieffer (USA) with Veronica, and Jock Paget (NZL) on the former Andrew Nicholson ride Shady Grey. Fellow New Zealander Jonelle Price, fourth at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy, is also aiming to make her mark in Pau with the nine-year-old mare Faerie Dianimo, recent winner of the Young Horse CIC3* at the Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.

From the home side, France’s Pascal Leroy will be a force to be reckoned with on the seasoned Minos de Petra, fifth at Badminton (GBR) earlier this year.

World number one William Fox-Pitt (GBR), winner of last year’s FEI Classics™ – the popular Eventing series linking the world’s six four-star events – will take on an elite group at Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA), the first leg of this year’s series, with two former CCI4* winners Parklane Hawk (pictured) and Seacookie, the horse he rode to victory in Pau twelve months ago.

And there is a strong British contingent. Louise Harwood (GBR) has been having a good season with Whitson, on which she was second at Tattersalls CCI3* and third at Blair Castle CCI3* this year, and Francis Whittington (GBR), fresh from celebrating his first CCI3* win, at Blenheim, rides West Side at Pau.

These two will be joined by the very experienced Pippa Funnell on the magnificent chestnut Redesigned, on which she was unlucky to be unseated at Badminton when challenging for a place, and Mirage d’Elle. Nicola Wilson, who went so well across country at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ on CCI4* first-timer One Two Many will also challenge in Pau.

Dressage Startlist

The Dressage phase of the first leg of the popular FEI Classics™ series starts tomorrow at 14.00 CEST, with Cross Country on Saturday from 14.00 CEST and Jumping on Sunday from 14.30.

Follow Live Action

Follow live results from Pau on http://www.event-pau.fr and watch the entire event live on FEI TV.

Notes

Kate Green