Australians aim for Pau, the world’s only five-star event
Pau is the only CCI five-star event to go ahead as all the others around the world were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
THERE are only six five-star events in the world and Pau is the only one to be held in France.
However, this year due to the Covid outbreak and the cancellation of events round the globe, it will be the only CCI 5* in the world for 2020 making Pau the unmissable event of the season.
The southwestern France event is recognised alongside competitions such as Badminton and Burghley (United Kingdom), but also Lexington (United States), Luhmühlen (Germany) and Adelaide (Australia). It is expected that the best riders in the world will meet in Pau.
A total of 62 horses are entered to line up for the event with Britain having the largest contingent heading to the French event. They have 25 horses listed to start and, like many other nations, are keen to be back competing.
Australia has four entries including two rides for Kevin McNab on Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend and Scuderia Don Quidam and one for Chris Burton on Graf Liberty.
New Zealand is well represented by Tim and Jonelle Price who have six of the eight New Zealand horses between them. It is expected they will have a great chance of a podium finish with Jonelle riding Faerie Dianimo and Grovine De Reve and Tim competing on Bango, Ringwood Sky Boy, Wesko and Xavier Faer.
Aidan Keogh, riding Pride Of Tredstep and Austin O’Connor with Colorado Blue, plan to make the trip to represent Ireland. The British team is headed by the 2019 champions, Tom McEwan and Toledo De Kerser. Among other exciting British starters are Laura Collett riding Mr Bass and London 52, Oliver Townend and MHS King Joules, Kitty King riding Vendredi Biats and Piggy French riding Brookfield Inocent.
With the 2020 postponed Tokyo Olympics only a few short months away, horses and riders will be desperate for competitions to ensure their horses’ fitness and keep their eye in while gaining valuable qualifications needed for selection to represent their country.
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