An Eventful Life filmed all competitors on cross country at
Chatsworth International Horse Trials 2023 - order or view videos here
France on form heading towards the 2023 FEI Eventing European Championship at Haras Le Pin
France is on fine form as we head towards this year’s major Championship – the FEI Eventing European Championship for Seniors at Haras Le Pin in Normandy, France from 9th to 13th August 2023.
At Chatsworth International (May 13th & 14th) the French team took their first win in a Nations Cup competition since 2021 when they stood on top of the podium at Haras Le Pin, the same venue that will host the 2023 FEI European Championships
Eventing on home soil at the National Stud of Haras Le Pin suits the French well – they won the Nations Cup leg there a whopping five times from 2017 to 2021 - before succumbing to Germany in 2022, when France was relegated to second place on the podium.
But an ‘away’ win at Chatsworth this year was impressive, against a strong line up of eight teams, including the home side of Great Britain, who had to settle for second place despite leading after the dressage.
All four French riders produced clear cross-country performances around a demanding course, with France the only country to finish all four team riders, including an impressive discard score of 12th place from Héloïse Le Guern and Canakine Du Sudre Z
The other three combinations all finished in the top seven with the best performance from Stephane Landois riding the 11-year-old grey Chaman Dumontceau. After a very competitive score dressage score of 22.8, they were one of just four riders to jump a double clear and his cross-country round was the second fastest of the day.
Team France take the win for the FEI Nations Cup Eventing CCI4*-S. GOLD: Team France: Nicolas Touzaint; Gaspard Maksud; Heloise Le Guern; Stephane Landois. Chef d'Equipe: Michelle Asseray
UK-based Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza ll, the best performed of the French team at the World Championships at Pratoni, also produced a strong cross-country performance at Chatsworth for fifth place individually while past European champion, Nicolas Touzaint riding his team horse Absolut Gold HDC took seventh place to seal the Nations Cup leg win.
This will no doubt help focus the French selectors, who have one eye on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games looming next year, but first the European Championships in August 2023
“I have done two Nations Cups last year and it is always nice to be in the team and win. But the real battle is going to be in August for the Europeans at Haras du Pin” said Gaspard Maksud after the French win at Chatsworth.
We’ve got lots more coming up about the FEI European Championships competition, the venue at Haras Le Pin and beautiful Normandy soon – stay tuned!
Tickets are now on sale for the FEI European Championships with individual days and packages on Special Pre-Sale offer, starting from €6. But get in quick as these prices are only available until June 15th
2021 Haras Le Pin FEI Eventing Nations Cup winners: Team France - Sebastien Cavaillon, Ugo Provasi, Gwendolen Fer, Stanislas de Zuchowicz
