Christopher Burton and Holstein Park Leilani trot up at Saumur Photo: Libby Law
The first horse inspection for the CCI 2* and 3* went smoothly for all at Saumur International 3 Day Event competitors, except for the Spaniard Sofia Corsini Furhmann whose horse KWPN Urbanis M was not authorized to start in the CIC 2*.
All Australian horses passed inspection and although Clayton Fredericks’ horse Be My Guest was asked to re-present, he then passed without a problem.
Mark Todd and Leonidas II Photo: Libby Law
The New Zealand team are out in force with Mark Todd hoping to gain his Olympic qualification aboard Grass Valley, while Caroline Powell is competing on both Boston Two Tip and Onwards and Upwards, and Andrew Nicholson aboard Quimbo and Viscount George.
Both Todd and Nicholson are former winners of the event – Nicholson in 2009 with Avebury, and Todd in 1998 on Word for Word, in 1996 on Kayen and 1987 with the mighty Charisma. Nicholson has finished fourth at the event for the past two years.
There are several New Zealand combinations also competing in the CCI2* division of the event. An Eventful Life blogger Clarke Johnstone is entered aboard his Olympic hopeful Orient Express, and also Regal Romar, with Nicholson on Sirio and Teseo, Powell with The Earl of Belvedere and Todd aboard Alfiano Del Ferro and Leonidas II.
The CIC 2* dressage test starts Thursday morning at 10.00 am at the race course and the CCI 3* starts at 14.30 pm in the Prince Albert arena. 72 combinations are starting the CIC 2* and 52 combinations are starting the CCI 3*.
Organisers expect 20,000 plus spectators over the four days of competition but for those unable to attend, there is live streaming of the cross country on Saturday at www.saumur.org plus of course follow all the action, photos and updates here on An Eventful Life
