Astier Nicolas and Alertamalib’Or Win Grand National FFE/AC Print of Lion-d’Angers

Twenty-nine couples lined up at the start of the show jumping test of the third stage of the Grand National, today at Lion-d’Angers. Indeed, if they were thirty-one to have finished the cross of this Pro Elite category competition, Anouk Canteloup and Benjamin Massié withdrew before this last workshop with their respective Daniel Del Impermeable (KWPN, Larino x Chin Chin) and Casanova de Bel Air (Z, Cassaro Z x Caritano Z). In the lead after the dressage – which he had also won – and the cross-country, Louis Seychal gave up after his Bakar de l’Ocean LA (SF, Grafenstolz X Gunter D’Lherbage) put the first three obstacles of the course on land, preferring to preserve it for other occasions. In total, therefore, twenty-eight duos finished the competition, and only six ended their weekend with a clear round on the bars.

“Mitch had to take a psychological step again”, Astier Nicolas

Olympic team champion and individual silver medalist from Rio de Janeiro, Astier Nicolas, was one of those at the helm of Alertamalib’Or (AA, Yarlands Summer Song x Prince Ig’Or), which had been crowned seven-year-old world champion at Le Lion in 2017. Second after the first two tests, the couple, present at the Pratoni del Vivaro world championships last September, took advantage of the failure of the reigning French Pro 1 champions to s impose with a score of 26.1 penalties. “Everything went very well from the start of the competition, explained the former rider of Piaf de B’Neville. I wanted us to show ourselves at our best after the fall on the ford that we suffered at Saumur (during the CCI 3*-S organized there at the end of April, editor’s note) and which was probably due to a small irregularity of the ground. Nevertheless, a victory is better than a good excuse! mitch (the nickname he gives to Alertamalib’Or, editor’s note) had set out to win this weekend, but he had to overcome a psychological milestone after his fall. There were fords here with tricky entrances, which caused some problems, and he crossed them with flying colors. Before coming, I had of course reworked the passages in the water, which was not useless, because he was a little cautious at the start of this training. Yesterday, on the other hand, he was really as usual, courageous and at the rendezvous. He had a good run today and I had good feelings. In short, he is still very fresh and he is doing well! From now on, we will go to Vittel (which will host the Master Pro eventing from June 22 to 25, editor’s note)then we will advise if European Championships there is (the continental deadline will take place from August 9 to 13 at Pin-au-Haras, editor’s note)!”

“It’s Shadd’oc who tells me how to continue”, Ugo Provasi

Ugo Provasi also had a perfect run with his experienced Shadd’Oc (SF, Espoir d’Oc x Arlequin), now seventeen springs. After having given up competing in the mythical CCI 5*-L of Badminton to preserve his longtime accomplice, the rider won a fine second place at the Lion-d’Angers this weekend, concluding the competition with 30.9 penalties. “Shadd’oc presented himself in a very satisfactory way from the dressage, did he analyze. I was really happy with him after this test, and he then rolled out a cross with art and manner, with ease. As for the horse show, he jumped very well, as usual. He is in really good shape, recovering well and still showing a lot of desire. In short, it is extraordinary! He will continue his season at Vittel. I really want to keep him on the Grand National circuit to keep him fit for as long as possible. He is having fun, I pay attention to him and he is the one who tells me how to continue.

The podium of this third stage of the federal circuit was completed by Benjamin Massié, who achieved a clear round and thus was able to keep his 30.9 penalties at the reins of Edition Fonroy (SF, L’Arc de Triomphe x Quick Star). Only his stopwatch on the cross, faster but also further from the optimum time, made it possible to decide between him and Ugo Provasi.

Full results

As in each stage of the federal circuit, a classification by team was established during this event. Here it is:

1. Ecurie Carlile – Ecurie Astier (Thomas Carlile, Astier Nicolas and Charlotte Bordas)
2. Ecurie Land Rover Toulouse (Ugo Provasi, Véronique Real and Faustine Lasmoles)
3. Kiwami Stable – Ekimi (Gireg Le Coz, Benjamin Massie and Leilani Watson)
4. Ecurie Forestier Sellier – Royal Horse (Nicolas Touzaint, Luc Chateau and Jonas de Vericourt)
5. Ecurie Starzup – Sellerie de la Risle (Sébastien Cavaillon, Régis and Jules Prud’Hon)
6. Jott Stable (Cédric Lyard, Bertrand Poisson and Salomé Poisson)
7. Stable I Bride – Horse Shop (Christopher Six, Raphael Cochet and Mathieu Cuomo)
8. Ecurie Equithème – La Gé (Karim Florent Laghouag, Gwendolen Fer and Rachel Weiler)

Morgane Euriat wins in Pro 1

As for the Pro 1 category, the horse show has completely reshuffled the cards. Only three couples, out of thirty-nine at the start, completed a perfect course. The victory finally went to Morgane Euriat and her young eight-year-old horse, Fixin de Condé (SF, Fromecs Balturo X Yarland Summer Song). The one who won the Pro Élite du Lion-d’Angers last year with her leading mare, Baccarat d’Argonne, finished the competition with a total of 32.6 penalties in the lower category this weekend. “I’m super happy, especially since my horse was competing here in his first event at this level.she rejoiced. I hadn’t come to win, but to gain experience serenely. He will compete in the Pro 1 of Vittel, where I go almost next door, then we will probably try to take part in a CCI 4 * at the end of the year.

At the reins of Exalto des Isles (SF, Rinaldo des Isles X Elan de la Cour*HN, 33 points), Maxime Livio climbed on the second step of the podium, while in this label too, third place went to Benjamin Massie. This time he was in the saddle on Dubaï du Léou (SF, Herald X Nouma d’Auzay).

Full results