The start of the Etoiles de Pau five-star horse trials has been postponed because of high winds. Storm Benjamin hit the south-west of France overnight on Thursday, 23 October, causing winds of up to 119km/h in some parts of the country, as well as significant rainfall.
The first horse inspection, which was due to take place on Thursday morning at 10am, will now move to 5pm (4pm British time).
All of the dressage competition will take place on Friday, starting at 9am (8am British time). As well as safety considerations, this is to ensure a level playing field of conditions for all competitors.
There are 54 competitors due to face the judges in the dressage phase, which will mean a fully packed day running with almost no breaks. There are three riders with three horses entered, Jonelle Price (Grappa Nero, Senor Crocodillo, Hiarado), Tim Price (Global Quest, Happy Boy and Jarillo) and Bubby Upton (Its Cooley Time, Cola and Cannavaro), who will have a particular logistical challenge.
The Pau Horse Trials organising team said in a statement: “Due to the weather forecast for 23 October 2025 and in accordance with recommendations from the local authorities, the event organiser and producer, Centaure Production, has taken several preventive measures to ensure the safety of participants, horses, and members of the public.
“The following adjustments should be noted: the site, which was closed this morning as a safety measure, will reopen to the public at 2pm this afternoon (free admission), subject to weather conditions. Specific instructions will be provided on site.
“The horse inspection will now take place today, Thursday, 23 October 2025, at 5 pm.
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“The dressage competition has been postponed and will now take place in its entirety on Friday, 24 October from 9 am, to ensure identical competition conditions for all competitors.”
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Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.
