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How could you resist?
Les 4 Etoiles de Pau (FRA), first leg of the FEI Classics™, is the only CCI4* in the northern hemisphere to have eluded double Olympic champion Michael Jung, who has had the most extraordinary run of success over his career to date.
The clear winner of the overall FEI Classics title for 2015/16 with victories at Kentucky (USA) and Badminton (GBR), Michael was second last year at Pau on fischerRocana FST. He returns again this weekend with the lovely 11-year-old mare, with proven 4* form with two victories at Kentucky. He also brings his double European gold medal ride fischerTakinou and will be looking to get a head start on the FEI Classics 2016/17 leaderboard.
Michael is the sole German at Les 4 Etoiles de Pau this weekend in an international field in which 13 nations are represented
Michael and mum take a stroll around Les Etoiles de Pau
Last year Astier Nicolas, a member of the French gold medal team at the Rio Olympic Games and individual silver medalist, and sixth place overall in last season’s FEI Classics, thrilled the home crowd by winning at Pau on Piaf de B’neville.
This year he rides Molokai, heading a strong French squad that includes his Rio team mate Karim Florent Laghouag on Punch de l’Esques, Maxime Livio (Qalao des Mers) and regular FEI Nations Cup Eventing rider Caroline Chadelat (Kadessia).
Karim Florent Laghouag rides Vendeen des Bois during today's CIC2* Dressage
Britain and New Zealand have traditionally enjoyed success at Pau and the two squads this year are headed by riders who had to sit on the sidelines at the Rio Olympic Games.
Tina Cook (GBR), travelling reserve for the British team in Rio and double bronze medalist at the 2008 Olympics, brings Billy the Red and Calvino. Jock Paget (NZL) had to withdraw Clifton Lush in Rio with an injury but rides the exciting prospect Clifton Signature this weekend.
New Zealand's Caroline Powell rides Chance Encounter during the CIC2* Dressage (Interim-11TH)
Fellow New Zealander Tim Price, second to MIchale Jung in the 2015/16 FEI Classics™ standings and third at Pau 2015, brings the 10-year-old British-bred Xavier Faer to Pau for the horse’s first 4* outing.
Caroline Powell also has a 4* first-timer in Spice Sensation and the more experienced Flying Finish, previously campaigned at this level by Lucinda Fredericks
“Spice Sensation is a little jumping machine,” says Powell. “She can be pretty difficult and tricky sometimes but she has the heart of a lion and just tries so hard. We have done a lot of work on her and she is improving all the time.”
Flying Finish is making his reappearance at 4* level after a long break. “The nice flat track there will hopefully suit him.”
Caroline has twice competed at Pau before aboard Onwards and Upwards, who she finished eighth on at Burghley last month. It was her first 4* competition for some time after being sidelined with injury “It has been frustrating. I am just back to fitness and the season is winding up.”
Tim Price, whose best performance at Pau is a third aboard Wesko last year, is chasing a personal best with the horse in the dressage but is confident Xavier Faer’s jumping and galloping will see him fly
“I am really looking forward to taking Xavier Faer to Pau,” says Tim “He is a very talented horse. This is his first 4* so you never know what you have got until the Sunday but hopefully he will come through really well.Somewhere around the forties would be nice in the dressage. He is a great jumper and galloper and I think Pau is a great introduction to 4* so I am looking forward to the course.”
Jock Paget and Clifton Signature have done two 4* events before and Jock believes he has a good chance this year “He has been a very good horse the whole way through. He was a little green at Pau last year but coped well and has strengthened up and matured a lot since then.”
With good runs at Aachen and Blenheim in recent months Jock, whose best effort at Pau is second aboard Clifton Promise in 2012, is confident of a good performance from the 12-year-old chestnut gelding.
“It is an event I really enjoy. The cross country is always very challenging and Pierre Michelet (cross country designer) makes you think a lot.”
Fellow antipodean, Australia’s Christopher Burton, Burghley 2016 winner and fifth in the 2015/16 FEI Classics, brings his Adelaide 2013 winning ride TS Jamaimo and he is joined by Western Australia's Sonja Johnson on Nikki Harwood's Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison
The starting line-up also features a strong contingent from Ireland, plus riders from Italy, Belgium, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and the USA - no doubt all competitors from around the world are waiting to see what Olympic course designer Pierre Michelet has in store.
What is coming up? Stay tuned for our daily coverage and photo galleries from the 2016 Les Etoiles de Pau CCI4*/CIC2*
