European Champion Rosalind Canter celebrates 5-star season finale!
After her European Champion title won last August at Haras du Pin, Rosalind Canter adds another major victory in Pau with another horse, Izilot DHI. French terrain seems to be in the British rider’s favor. Now all she has to do is keep up the momentum towards the Paris Olympics. She won with just a few seconds of penalties ahead of world number 1 Oliver Townend (GBR). A magnificent clear round put Townend on the second step of the podium. Unfortunately for Tom Mc Ewen (GBR) and JL Dublin, a fallen bar dropped them back to third place. This regret was offset by the fact that his friends were planning a stag party this Sunday evening, as the Englishman is getting married next Friday. Another big disappointment for rider Kirsty Chabert (GBR), who finished at sixth place after a round penalized by 8 points.
You’d think we were in Great Britain on Sunday. The reigning European Champion nation confirmed its current great form by occupying the top 6 places in the final ranking of the 5 Stars of Pau, one of the seven CCI5*-L events organized worldwide. Last year’s winner, New Zealand’s Jonelle Price, was eighth with Hiarado, just ahead of American Boyd Martin. On the French side, Camille Lejeune and Maxime Livio took 13th and 9th places respectively, with two magnificent rounds. The other two French riders still in the running for this final test suffered a blow. Florian Ganneval, an “amateur” rider and farrier, nevertheless finished in the Top 20 of this difficult CCI5*-L. Gaspard Maksud’s 9-year-old horse, Kan-Do 2, suffered a slight fatigue and was penalized 12 points.
Rosalind Canter’s impressions (winner of the CCI5*-L)
“I’ve had an incredible week with both horses, in fact both have really given it their all. I’m extremely proud of IZILOT DHI, we’ve come a long way since we got him as a five-year-old, he’s very much on the eye but he’s really taking a big step forward and even at the start of this year, we’ve had our ups and downs and a few little difficulties but he’s been absolutely incredible this week. I’m learning all the time with a horse like him, he’s taught me a lot of things, he’s really taught me not to react, to deal with these kinds of situations by almost letting go of the reins, telling him he’s a good horse. If he wants to panic, he’ll panic, there’s nothing I can do about it, it’s just a question of giving him a lot of confidence. It’s pretty obvious that the British team is in great shape. My aim is to be selected for the Paris Olympics – that’s my dream. On the other hand, I don’t know with which horse. That’s not entirely up to me, but it’s already great to have two horses that could be selected.”
Oliver Townend’s impressions (2nd)
“I’m incredibly proud of my horse and my team, and I’m very happy for the owners of my horse Tregilder, who have been with me for nineteen years. A podium finish in a 5* is a dream for them. He’s a genuine horse, always straightforward, always doing his best in all three tests. This performance is the fruit of the work of the whole team that looks after him, especially at the stable, which enables him to achieve results like this. I’m a competitor, I don’t feel the need to prove anything. This is my 19th 5* podium, and fortunately there are plenty more to come. I’m still young compared to some. Being surrounded by all these female riders is an enviable position to be in.”
Tom McEwen’s impressions (3rd)
“I had an incredible run. It was fantastic, the cross-country course was incredible, the show jumping was great, the crowd was enthusiastic and for me with JL Dublin it’s just a great way to end what’s been a bit of a shit year.”
Pascal Sayous, Director of Centaure Production, assesses the situation
“Attendance increases every year, with a +30% growth in visitors for this 2023 edition, to between 42,000 and 43,000 people. It’s THE family event of the year, where more and more people come to enjoy a great moment of sport. We can be proud of what we achieve every year, and we’re delighted that Pau is once again a popular destination for the English, who made Pau one of their favourite holiday resorts.”
Final Ranking HERE