Clayton Fredericks and Bendigo, seen here at Jardy CIC 3*, were last year's winners at Saumur Photo: Xavier Boudon /Pixizone.com
The first question must be...... what is the weather forecast for Saumur?
Well, it’s looking promising at least with temperatures of 19and 20 degrees forecast from Thursday to Sunday and some possible showers on Friday and Sunday. Libby Law will be on the ground (hopefully dry) in Saumur for us from Wednesday and we’ll be bringing you the low down on the trot up on Wednesday afternoon (French time).
So who will the focus be on this weekend in the CCI 3*?
Paul Tapner and Inonothing will be out to show they are truly back on form at top level Photo: blog.talkinghorse.net
From Australia we have;
Chris Burton riding Haruzac and Holstein Park Leilani
Clayton Fredericks riding Waltersdown Don and Be My Guest
Bill Levett riding One Two Many NJ and Hippolyte
Paul Tapner riding Inonothing, Kilronan and Wickstead Didgeridoo
From Great Britain, top riders include;
Zara Phillips riding Lord Lauries
(according to a report in the UK Telegraph, Zara is a little doubtful of a London berth whereas things are looking good for William Fox-Pitt, Mary King, Piggy French and Nicola Wilson http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/9265567/Zara-Phillips-is-left-burnt-after-Olympic-heartache.html )
From New Zealand;
Andrew Nicholson riding Quimbo and Viscount George
Caroline Powell riding Boston Two Tip and Onwards and Upwards
Mark Todd riding NZB Grass Valley
There are obviously lots of French riders competing on home soil, including Nicholas Touzaint, Jean-Lou Bigot and Pascal Leroy but with strong competition, it certainly will not be a fait accompli for the local riders.
Indeed, Saumur has been happy hunting ground for the Australians; last year the event was won by Clayton Fredericks riding Bendigo III and Bill Levett was in second place on One Two Many NJ. Clayton has had considerable success in France and says he feels very comfortable there (see the interview with Xavier Boudon after winning at Jardy CCI 3*recently).
Xavier will be providing more coverage from Saumur for us on Saturday and Sunday so stayed tuned to see if any of the other Australian riders can speak Fraustralian the way Clayton can! As I write this, tweets are coming through which seem to indicate that the sun is shining in Saumur - at last!
Stay tuned for full coverage and finally, some action.................
