Belgium's Lara De Liedekerke-Meier may have been nudged off the leading spot but at least it was by her husband! Lara was pretty happy with hubby Kai-Steffen Meier's test on Painter's Maxim
So it turns out that the Austrian riders not only have some head turning outfits for the trot up but also the moves on horseback to turn the judges’ eye. Yesterday we were impressed by Austria’s Rebecca Gerold but on Thursday it the Austrian rider Charlotte Dobretsberger who took the dressage lead in the CCI2* 7 YO class riding Vally K. The dark chestnut mare by Valentino recently won the CIC1* at Pelmberg in Austria on their dressage score of 39.7 so their score of 45.2 was not a personal best but the 26 year old must be very happy to be sitting on top of the leader board so far.
Gemma Tattersall and Chilli's Gem
Just behind in second place on 45.9 is Britain’s Gemma Tattersall riding one of Christopher Stone’s Chilli babies – Chilli’s Gem by of course the Badminton-winning sire Chilli Morning who was retired after Rio to focus on stud duties (much to William Fox-Pitt’s envy). Last year Chilli’s Gem was the recipient of the Welton Romance trophy for the highest placed British-bred mare thanks to her third place in the KBIS British Eventing Young Horse 6 Year Old Championship at Osberton - this year their result wasn’t quite so good but Gemma had been busy at the Olympics and it seems that Chilli’s Gem is back on form here at Le Lion
Find out more about Chilli's Gem in our interview with Gemma here
Maxime Livio and Vegas De Boursons
Maxime Livio is still on a roll from his win at Les Etoiles De Pau, in third place in this class riding Vegas De Boursons (46.8) while Britain’s Emily Llewellyn and Emirati Nightsky are in fourth (48.1).
This pair finished 16th at the KBIS British Eventing Young Horse Championships recently but their dressage score here is similar to that of their fifth place at Hartpury in the CCI2* so hopefully Emily, who is also riding the very handsome Exclusive in this class, can stay on her dressage score here
Watch Emily and Emirati Nightsky on cross country at the KBIS British Eventing Young Horse Championships here
Kevin McNab and Viharra Du Causse
Australia’s Kevin McNab is currently in equal 12th place (51.2) on the bay gelding Viharra Du Causse, a new ride for Kevin this year. They took sixth place in the CCI1* at Houghton Hall earlier this year, followed by a second at Cappoquin CIC2* and another sixth at Millstreet CIC2*. Since Kevin has been on board the pair have finished on their dressage score at all three events which must bode well for this Championship – he currently shares 12th place with Germany’s Sandra Auffarth riding Vaimant du Matz
Kai-Steffan Meier (above) and wife Lara De Liedekerke-Meier (below)
No doubt there would have been a few celebratory drinks in the Meier lorry last night with husband and wife team Kai-Steffen and Lara in first and second places in the CCI1*6 YO class. Kai-Steffen leads on the stallion Painter’s Maxim with a score of 40.3 while Lara is in second place on Ducati D’Arville. They may be married (and are not the only married couple here with Tim and Jonelle Price also competing) but Kai-Steffen rides for Germany while Lara rides for Belgium, that has two more riders in third and fourth places – Ronny Thijs on Consequent Pia Z 46.70) and Raf Steegmans on Chico’s Man VDF Z (49)
A lovely backdrop for Ronny Thijs riding Consequent Pia Z
