The stage is set for this week’s test event at Le Pin au Haras. It was late afternoon when I arrived at Le Haras du Pin, one of the French National Studs, and a pleasantly warm, sunny day was turning into evening. This is just a beautiful part of the world with rolling green countryside interspersed by golden hayfields that have just been cut, typical Norman buildings and, of course, the spectacular stud itself that overlooks the event venue.
Kevin McNab is settling in
The new British Open Champion, Jock Paget
The venue is quiet with some riders settling in and more to come. I bumped into Kevin McNab and Jock Paget coming out of the stables and Australia’s Gill Rolton and Christina Klingspor, both members of the Ground Jury checking out the course
Libby Law has set up camp at the venue and I have moved into La Ferme de Fremant (aka AEL international headquarters for the next two weeks). More about our travels and the area in later blogs but this is just a hello, we’re here!
Tomorrow we’ll take a look at the course and watch the first horse inspection which will take place at 6pm. Stay tuned as there’s lot more to come
