Provisional results from the Lion World Cup Horse Trials

CCI* 6 year: Michael Jung outclasses the others

The results of the Lion World Cup Horse Trials for Young Horses in France were not very encouraging on Thursday morning, during the first part of the dressage event at the CCI* for six year old horses. However two couples finally managed to play the game well : Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam and Tiziana Realini and Valentino Flying CH.

Marie-Christine de Laurière was the first to obtain less than 50 points. Accompanied by her huge Spanish horse Cadiz, she obtained a score of 49.30. The surprise of the day was the young Swiss rider Tiziana Realini and her horse a son of Voltaire, Valentino Flying CH. The stallion showed his potential and allowed his rider to obtain 45 points.

The leader of the competition finally changed at the end of the morning and it was not an unknown rider who managed this. Michael Jung, winner in 2004 with Birkhof’s Grafenstoltz, outclassed the other competitors with La Biosthetique Sam, obtaining a score of 44.80.

CCI* 7 years: Nicolas Touzaint and Liam de la Roche take the lead

The first day of dressage has allowed an initial ranking to be established in the CCI* for seven year old horses. In the provisional line up, Nicolas Touzaint and Liam de la Roche are in the lead ahead of Bill Levett and Frederick Luigi and Hendrick Degros and Mr Wiseguy.

Pippa Funnel was initially in the lead with her bay coloured horse Matter of Opinion. With 43.80, the British double European Champion reminded the public that she was well and truly back after three years of absence from the Lion d’Angers.

And then Hendrick Degros and Mr Wiseguy replaced her. The Belgian combination, 4th in the CCI* for 6 year old horses in 2005, showed that they are a force to be reckoned with this year, obtaining a result of 43.10.

Nicolas and Liam have the upper hand

And finally the couple that everyone was waiting for finally appeared. Nicolas Touzaint and Liam de la Roche conducted their test in front of their fans and the foreign champions: William Fox-Pitt, Mary King and Daisy Dick did not miss a scrap of the performance of the French combination.Nicolas and his Selle Français stallion knew how to charm the judges. They took the lead half way through the competition, with a result of 41.30.

This first day was also beneficial for Lucy Wiegersma and Woodfalls Inigo Jone. The British couple performed in front the judges at the end of the afternoon and took the joint third position (43.10).