As 2023 draws to a close, France, the host country of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has updated its “A Cheval Pour Paris” eventing squad list.
The Federation Francaise d’Equitation (FFE) has released an updated list with the updated list including Bastia de l'Ebat (replacing Cocorico de l'Ebat for Luc Château) and Babylon de Gamma being added for Astier Nicolas.
Maxime Livio retains Api du Libaire on the list but Carouzo Bois Marotin, who appeared in the previous list (Pau) is no longer there and Héloïse le Guern is also no longer listed with Canakine du Sudre Z.
The updated list is:
Thomas Carlile and Darmagnac de Béliard (1), property of S.C.E.A de Beliard and Jean-Jacques Montagne.
Sébastien Cavaillon and Elipso de la Vigne, owned by the Elipso syndicate.
Luc Château and Bastia de l’Ebat, owned by Haras des Châteaux and Laure Sudreau.
Karim Laghouag and Embrun de Reno (2), owned by Sarl Ecurie Karim Laghouag, Guy Bessat, Camille Laffite and Philippe Lemoine.
Karim Laghouag and Triton Fontaine (2), owned by Philippe Lemoine, Guy Bessat, Sarl Ecurie Karim Laghouag and Camille Laffite.
Stéphane Landois and Chaman Dumontceau Ride for Thaïs (2), property of the S.C.E.A. Blue Cherry Stable.
Gireg Le Coz and Aisprit de la Loge (2), owned by Frédérique Grand and Augustin Grand.
Camille Lejeune and Dame Decoeur Tardonne, owned by Sarah Gospodnetic and her rider.
Maxime Livio and Api du Libaire (2), property of S.D.F Api Club.
Benjamin Massié and Édition Fonroy (1) owned by Jean-Luc Van Hoenacker and his rider.
Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza (2), owned by Jane Young and Martin Thurlow.
Astier Nicolas and Alertamalib’Or (1) owned by Aliette Forien, Pascal Ravery, Nicolas Paul and his rider.
Astier Nicolas and Babylon de Gamma (1), owned by Marielle Grivot Bize, Etienne Grivot, Bénédicte Nicolas and her rider.
Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold*HDC (2), owned by Haras des Coudrettes.
Nicolas Touzaint and Diabolo Menthe (2), owned by Mézard Sports and Françoise Niclaus.
“This new “On Horseback for Paris” list is made up of horses who performed well this year. We also have horses of Olympic stature (1) who will have to qualify in 2024 by meeting the Olympic minimums in international 4* long format events (CCI 4-L) to qualify for selection. Among them, Darmagnac and Alertamalib’Or are two experienced horses who were injured in 2023 and placed on rest. From the start of the year, they can regain their best level and have their place in the French team” says Thierry Touzaint, National Selector
“We have six riders (2) who have been very regular for several seasons and now have experience of one or more championships (Olympics, world championships or European championships). They are the most confirmed and appear to be team pillars.
We also have couples who are a little less seasoned but who are on the rise and have had a good season in 2023.
We establish the winter training program for everyone and begin to plan the start of the competition season which will resume in the spring. We will be able to narrow the list once all the horses have returned to the show grounds. Beyond the horses which must obtain their qualification on a long format, all will need a qualifying result on a CCI 4*-S (short format) in 2024 to qualify for selection. The idea is to obtain it as early as possible in the season so as not to have to chase qualification as the selections approach.
We know from experience that the road is still long and that nothing is certain in advance. We have to stay focused on the objective and do a good job in the coming months.”
