Of the 24 horse-rider pairs who performed their dressage test this afternoon on the first day of competition at Pau, it was Tom McEwen who took the lead with his 15-year-old mount Brookfield Quality on a score of 25.8.
Tom said: “I’m really happy with Brookfield Quality’s dressage test today. He’s fifteen, so he’s experienced and knew what he had to do. I’m delighted with our score and to have been able to enjoy the sunshine before the rain forecast for tomorrow. For the cross-country course, I’ll just have to do my best to help my horse perform well.”
Clarke Johnstone (NZL), 18th in the individual competition in the Paris Olympic Games this summer with Menlo Park, performed another excellent dressage test, ranking him second behind the British rider, with just an 0.3-point difference. World no.5 Olivier Townend (GBR) was first to enter the main arena today, and held on to first place for some time, with his French horse En Taro des Vernier (born in the Gard region). He took third place in the ranking this evening, with a 3-point difference from the leader.
The dressage tests continue on Friday from 9 a.m. Some of the riders to watch are Camille Lejeune (FRA) with Dame Decoeur Tardonne (9:52 a.m.), Oliver Townend (GBR) on Crazy du Loir (10:44 a.m.), Pippa Funnell (GBR) riding MCS Maverick (11:05 a.m.), current French Champion Benjamin Massié on Filao de Perle (11:36 a.m.), current World Champion Yasmin Ingham (GBR) with Rehy DJ (2:07 p.m.), and of course Tim Price (NZL), who already won the 5 Etoiles de Pau in 2021, and competing with Jarillo this year (3:27 p.m.).
Friday 25 October
- 8am Opening to the public
- 9am-12:30pm/2pm-5pm Dressage test CCI5*
- 5pm-6pm Horse sale
- 6pm-7pm Andy Booth (ethology
Saturday 26 October
- 8am Opening to the public
- 8:45am-9am Pony Derby
- 10am-10:30am Andy Booth (ethology)
- 11:30am-5:30pm Cross country test CCI5*
- 5pm-6pm Horse sale
- 6:45pm-8:05pm Horse-ball
- 9pm Equestrian show « Compagnie Nadal »
Sunday 27 October
- 8am Opening to the public
- 10am-11:20am Horse-ball
- 11:45am-12:30pm Horse Inspection CCI5*
- 1pm-2pm Horse sale
- 3pm-4:30pm Show jumping test CCI5*
- 4:45pm-5pm Romantic Love retirement ceremony / Gwendolen Fer (FRA)
- 5pm Prize giving ceremony CCI5*
Provisional standings can be found here
For more information and ticketing, visit here www.event-pau.fr
Image: Laura Dupuy
