FEI Classics™ 2016/17: can Olympic champion Michael Jung claim French season-opener at Pau?

The clear winner of the overall FEI Classics™ title for 2015/16 with victories at Kentucky (USA) and Badminton (GBR), Jung 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.

The FEI Classics™ series links the elite 4* fixtures on the international Eventing calendar, with points accumulated across the six events – Pau (FRA), Adelaide (AUS), Kentucky (USA), Badminton (GBR), Luhmühlen (GER), and Burghley (GBR). 

Jung is the sole German at Les 4 Etoiles de Pau this weekend in an international field in which 13 nations are represented. Competition starts tomorrow 13 October with the horse inspection at 09.00 CET, with the Dressage phase starting at 09.00 CET on Friday 14 October.

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).

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, was runner-up at Pau in 2012 and rides the exciting prospect Clifton Signature this weekend.

Fellow New Zealander Tim Price, second to 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.

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.

The starting line-up also features a strong contingent from Ireland, plus riders from Italy, Belgium, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and the USA.

The FEI Classics™ 2016/2017 season looks set to get off to a thrilling start at the premier French event where everyone is waiting to see what Olympic course designer Pierre Michelet has in store.

Live coverage on FEI TV (cross country and jumping) at www.feitv.org and live results on www.event-pau.fr.