After a slight delay arriving at Le Haras au Pin due to some navigational difficulties, we finally made it to the event just in time to watch current Olympic, World and European Champion Michael Jung set out on the CIC 1* cross-country course on the six-year-old gelding Der Dante.
Even more exciting for me, Michael very kindly took some time to chat with us when he finished the cross country before heading back to his truck. CLICK HERE for the video interview.
This event, Le Grand Complet at Haras du Pin, is the final leg of the 2012 FEI World Cup series, a series for individual riders organised at CIC 3* level where points gained at each event count towards a final classification.
In addition to the World Cup class which attracts many of the top riders, there are also CIC 1* and CIC 2* classes, providing a great opportunity for less experienced combinations and some impressive young horses. The event has a lovely country feel to it and is set in the grounds of Le Pin National Stud at Haras le Pin in Normandy. As you enter, three dressage arenas are set up on one side and the showjumping arena is bang next to the start and finish of the cross-country course, from where you can see several of the early cross-country fences. For those familiar with Australian events such as Wandin or Tonimbuk in Victoria, it has the same feel of a very popular regional event (but with a lovely big mansion) which just happens to have Olympic champions competing (which we also have at those events in Australia, let’s not forget!)
The Grand Prix du Conseil Generale de L'Orne CIC 1* started on Thursday and finished today with some good news for Australia – Clayton Fredericks was the winner on his dressage score of 39.1 riding Sorrento (pictured above). Clayton enjoys competing in France and has had plenty of success on this side of the water, including winning last year’s World Cup class here on Dunge’s Laurent Rosé. He is only riding in the CCI 1* and 2* classes this year as his Olympic preparation and the forthcoming Burghley have been his main focus
“Bendigo has done enough,” he explained with a wry smile. “We did Malmo in Sweden to wipe out the Olympic experience and Waltersdown Don is heading to Burghley so it just worked out better to bring the young horses here”
Having won the CIC 1* today and leading the CIC 2* on Brookleigh after dressage, he is off to a great start in these classes. Sadly Erin O’Neill, also riding for Australia, on Short Black retired on the 1*cross country course today.
For anyone who is interested in owning a very nice young horse, Clayton confirmed in the press conference that Sorrento is still for sale but would prefer to be able to keep him, so get in there quickly! Michael Jung’s impressive Der Dante (pictured below) was in second place and Laura Collett took third on Obos Cooley; both riders were very happy with their six year olds.
“Der Dante was a dressage horse until last winter when we started to jump him,” said Michael. “He is half thoroughbred and this is only his second one star start so I’m very happy with him.”
When asked if he is going to have a holiday after his Olympic win, Michael smiled and said, “I’m on holiday – here in France!”
Young British rider Laura Collett (above) said of her horse: “I’m really pleased with him. He didn’t put a foot wrong throughout the event and he found it easy to make the time on the cross country. This is our first time here and it’s brilliant.”
Sadly we won’t see Laura’s top horse Rayef in action here as he is recovering from a minor injury and will be out for a short while, ready to start again in the spring at Badminton.
As well as Clayton leading the Grand Prix de la Region Basse-Normandie CIC 2*, there are two other Australians within striking distance with Sam Griffiths in 14th place on Favorit Z and Lucinda Fredericks in 17th on Rovello. They continue tomorrow with the showjumping phase and cross country on Sunday.
Sam and Real Dancer Photo: PSV/ J.Morel
The CIC 3* World Cup class started their dressage phase today and it's not surprising that Michael Jung on his horse Halunke FBW (43.5) is the current leader with a small number of riders to ride tomorrow morning before the World Cup cross country starts at 2:30pm. Currently in second place (45.8) is the Japanese rider Yoshiaki Oiwa and Noonday de Conde – the combination that wowed the judges at Greenwich Park to lead the Olympic eventing after the dressage phase. In third place is British eventing legend Pippa Funnell riding Or Noir de la Loge on a score of 46.8. The only Australian rider in the World Cup class is Sam Griffiths who is currently is not far off the pace in 10th place riding Paulank Brockagh (49.8) and in 17th place on Real Dancer (52.8).
To view the results from Friday's competition CLICK HERE.
Don’t forget that you can watch the cross country live for free at http://www.dailymotion.com/le_grand_complet#video=xs34ii.
