Pau is traditionally a five-star that entices debutants at the level. It falls right at the end of the European season, when horses have had plenty of events under their belt and the younger ones have more months of maturity and experience. At this year’s Pau Horse Trials, 16 first-timers tackled the cross-country track, nearly a third of the field.

Several of these debutants particularly impressed, with three of them among the total six clears inside the time. These first-timers may well become major players at future five-stars and championships.

The standout superstar was Sarah Bullimore’s home-bred Corimiro, who blitzed around at nine years old like a far more experienced campaigner to take the lead.

Horses to follow from Pau Horse Trials

Further down the order due to less dazzling dressage marks, two debutant eye-catchers both came from the Monart Sale in Ireland. This pair of Irish-bred 10-year-olds Boleybawn Lecrae, ridden by Sam Ecroyd, and Astier Nicolas’ ride Dirty Old Town cruised round inside the time to fly up the leaderboard at the conclusion of the Pau Horse Trials cross-country phase.

The 10th horse to leave the startbox, Boleybawn Lecrae was the first horse to make the 11min 6sec optimum time, by some 16sec. The Boleybawn Ectasy-sired gelding – owned by Stewart and Vicki Irlam — made the biggest climb up the rankings, from 37th to 12th, and clocked the fastest round of the day to stay on 34.5.

“He’s always been a really quick horse, though he was wild when he was young,” said Sam. “But I remember when I did my first BE100 on him he was so hyper-coordinated and focused, I thought, ‘this is a proper horse’. I’ve been lucky to have been supported by amazing owners, but I’ve not had the opportunity to ride a lot of proven top horses, so that feeling I had – I didn’t know if it was true or not.

“He has the ability to gallop, be organised, make any distance; he’s easy to ride. What makes him quick isn’t a fast gallop, it’s unbelievable trust in him that he’s going to sort his jump out. I can leave him alone and let him travel. The less you interfere, the better.

“I’ve had him since he was three from the Monart Sale,” Sam added. “The guy who was selling him said, ‘he’ll either go round Burghley or you’ll call me in two months and say you can’t get on it’ – those were the two options.”

“I knew he’d go five-star at six years old”

Dirty Old Town was foot-perfect round Pierre Michelet’s track to move up from 21st to fifth overnight (on the same score, 31.2, as compatriot Benjamin Massie on Filao De Perle), but the Irish Sport Horse hasn’t given Astier the easiest time this week.

“He’s a weird person but he’s very honest cross-country,” said the French rider. “He’s a cool horse, but always a little bit difficult, he can rear and buck, but I’ve learnt it’s not against me!

“That’s how he got loose when I was about to get on yesterday, and warmed up for 10 minutes on his own yesterday before I could catch him, ruining everybody’s warm-up. And another thing is if he has to pass a cross-country fence and he’s not supposed to jump it, he’s very unhappy. It’s like he has a disease that tells him, ‘I have to jump between white and red’. It’s a good problem to have.”

Astier knew the grey had five-star potential from a young age.

“I bought him at Monart when he was three, and by the time he was six, I thought he could be a five-star horse,” Astier said. “At seven, I would have bet on it, but I just had to wait and see.

“He was fast today without trying, just staying in a constant rhythm. He’s not a big horse, so he’s good with these twisty courses even if I don’t love it. He’d be a good horse on a rangy track too.”

Astier was aiming Dirty Old Town for Burghley as his first five-star, until the French selectors asked him to be reserve for the Europeans, where Astier won team bronze with Alertamalib’Or.

Another round that caught the eye over the Pau Horse Trials cross-country course was amateur rider Libby Seed on Heartbreaker Star Quality. Not only had she logged her personal best dressage score (30.4) by some margin at this level, but she clocked her fastest time at five-star.

“It’s the fastest I’ve ever gone,” said Libby, after adding 4.4 time-faults to lie in 14th place overnight. “I’ve been working on my speed for a long time – with the late Caroline Moore and Kylie Roddy. I’m a control freak and it takes a long time to get comfortable with going at these big fences at speed, and trusting that the bigger stride pattern is actually safer.

“We cruised round, she just went at her own speed. The fences kept coming nicely and I met them nearly all on a good stride.”

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French rider Astier Nicolas has taken second place after the first day of Maryland 5 Star dressage today (13 October).

Astier and the 11-year-old grey Babylon De Gamma – who belongs to his rider, Etienne Grivot, Marielle Grivot Bize and Benedicte Nicolas de Monval – scored 29.1 to sit 1.9 penalties behind overnight leader Woods Baughman.

“We’re getting there – it’s not up to top standard yet, but things are improving,” said Astier. “It was a more established test than last year and there’s a lot more to come. He can do the movements, but we’ve been working on straightness, connection, the way of going.”

The pair finished 10th here in 2021, but Astier said today that the horse had caught a cold on the plane over to the US last year, so was not on top form.

“He feels very good this year, so there’s no excuse,” he said, talking about testing whether the horse has stamina over Ian Stark’s cross-country track.

Astier also spoke about coming to Maryland again rather than his home five-star at Pau Horse Trials.

“This horse is very sensitive to the ground and it’s more consistent ground here,” he said. “That’s the reason why I came and also it’s a great show.”

US rider Liz Halliday-Sharp sits just 0.2 of a penalty behind Astier with another 11-year-old grey, The Monster Partnership’s Cooley Quicksilver.

“He’s just a giant goof,” said Liz. “He’s made of rubber – he can turn himself inside out and scratch the top of his tail both sides easily – which makes him great to ride and also challenging on the flat. You can imagine teaching the horse to go straight has been interesting when you’re riding five different moving parts at once. But it makes him a really great athlete and he loves his job.

“He’s extremely arrogant and he thinks he’s wonderful and you have to let feel that way. You can’t try and squash that, so it’s a give and take relationship. I’ve had him from a real baby, a very green five-year-old, so we know each other well now.”

US world team silver medallist Tamie Smith is 0.1 of a penalty behind Liz in fourth at the halfway point of the Maryland 5 Star dressage, riding five-star first-timer Danito.

“It’s quite electric in there and he got a little away from me towards the end and became strong, but he’s such a good boy so I’m very pleased,” she said.

Owner Ruth Bley sent the now 13-year-old to Tamie three and a half years ago to sell.

Tamie said: “I just loved him – he was kind of this spicy little thing, a little nappy and kind of a little troubling – but I just called her and said, ‘Are you sure you really want to sell him? I think he’s a great horse. And if he’s not then at least we can produce him through some decent levels and you could get some decent money for him’.”

Tamie added that she felt Danito hasn’t had the coverage he’s deserved because he has been overshadowed by her eventing World Championship ride, Mai Baum.

“But he has beaten him a couple of times on the flat,” she said – quite an accolade as Mai Baum is renowned as one of the best eventing dressage horses in the world.

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Early riders have shared their thoughts on Giuseppe Della Chiesa’s track after completing their eventing World Championships cross-country rounds in Pratoni Del Vivaro, Italy this morning (17 September).

The optimum time of 9mins 50sec is proving hard to achieve and there have been conflicting opinions on the course, which some riders have been vocal about.

First to go of the Irish riders, Sam Watson, put in a solid performance with SAP Talisman, jumping a clear round and collected just 2.4 time-faults.

“There are very few moments on the course when you can just relax, because with the terrain whether you’re going uphill or downhill, it’s always work,” said Sam. “But come on, we’re at a World Championship – we need to work for 10 minutes.”

Sam was thorough in his analysis of his round and the track riders are facing today on the eventing World Championships cross-country course.

“My horse is balanced and a real athlete – he’s small, hardly 16hh, so footwork is his forté. I added in a few combinations, which I don’t think many other people will be able to do,” said Sam. “I really enjoyed our round, even though it was hard work. If it’s not hard work, we all go clear in the time and today doesn’t matter so much. Today we’re out of our comfort zone and there’s nothing wrong with that – it’s high performance sport.”

Sam was full of praise for Giuseppe’s track.

“I think Giuseppe, you have to be a genius now to push us out of our comfort zone and make it horse-friendly. To jump around, the speed we go is our decision – it’s our responsibility. We must know how much energy the horses have, we must know how fit they are. We must manage that from the start to the finish, and if we don’t, it’s on us, it’s our responsibility. So the course-designer for me has done his job. It’s a very safe track to jump and it’s a hard track to ride – congratulations, Giuseppe.”

Germany’s Christoph Wahler (pictured), however, felt differently about the course. Riding Carjatan S, he also jumped clear, incurring 9.6 time-faults.

“I didn’t really like it, to be honest. I think Michi [Michael Jung] said some very true things about the course designing yesterday, and that’s pretty much my opinion too,” said Christoph. “He jumped amazingly well, over everything that I put him in front of. And I think then he just got a little bit tired and I had to do some alternative routes where he just didn’t feel bouncy and powerful enough in the canter to ride the direct lines. But in the end, it is what it is. It’s a clear for the team. I would have liked to go faster, but today I couldn’t.”

France’s Astier Nicolas had a mostly good round with Alertamalib’or, bar a run out at fence 7c, the final part of the Slide, and also 11 penalties for a broken frangible device at fence 18, the Goldspan Farm. He incurred 8.4 time-faults.

Speaking of his run-out at the Slide, Astier said: “I had to make a choice between not stopping at the top and controlling the slope down. But I lost a bit of control going down the hill and ended up on a two-and-a-half stride distance, so the horse had to save his skin – really it was my fault.”

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The first session of eventing World Championships dressage is now complete in Pratoni del Vivaro in Italy (15 September). Two riders from key teams both suffered disappointment, when their marks left them slightly wanting more.

Astier Nicolas, the first of the French team riders, scored 30.8 with the elegant 12-year-old gelding, Alertamalib’or, whom he co-owns with Aliette Foreign and Nicolas Paul.

“I’m a bit frustrated with a few mistakes. This horse is a bit less fresh at this end of the season and I think I made the mistakes because he ‘breaks’ a bit behind me,” Astier explained. “He is always very serious at his work and always very focused and did some lovely work too, but there too many mistakes spoiling the job.”

Astier leads the eventing World Championships dressage leaderboard at this early stage of the competition, with Germany’s first team rider, Christoph Wahler, in third on 32.8.

Christoph, who is riding the grey 13-year-old Carjatan S, got off to a tense start in their test, being awarded fours and fives for their first centre line and a two and two threes for the collected trot movement after moving off from the first halt.

“That was very bad and I’m incredibly disappointed about the first half of the test,“ said Christoph of the gelding, whom he owns alongside Lena Thenies. “He was very relaxed and with me beforehand and he felt great all the days before when we worked him in here yesterday, in the stadium.

“But then he spooked at something when I tried to get in trot after entering the arena – there was a drone flying up there and I don’t know if it was that or something else, I have no idea, but for some reason I didn’t get the trot. Then unfortunately that went through all of the trot work. I think the horse showed great movements as well in walk and canter and I think the halts were OK, the changes were OK, so it could have been a good test and now it’s just a big disappointment.”

It hasn’t all been doom and gloom though, as Switzerland’s first team rider, Nadja Minder was absolutely delighted with the performance of her horse, Toblerone. They scored 31.8 thanks to a mistake-free test, which puts them into second at this stage of the competition.

“You can’t do more than you can and he behaved very well. He gave everything for me in there, and I had no big mistakes – everything was great,” said 22-year-old Nadja, who said her first eventing World Championships experience with ‘Chocoline’ – which is Swiss German for a small piece of chocolate — is “totally unreal”.

“It’s just a dream come true and I would have never thought four years ago that I can can do this at this age. Then Toblerone came along and made that dream come true.”

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The French team has been named for the FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni (14 to 18 September).

The squad has a fresh look for this championships, with a mix of experience and new human and equine faces on the line-up.

The French squad for the eventing World Championships, which will include a team of four plus one individual, is as follows:

Tom Carlile and nine-year-old gelding Darmagnac De BéliardOwner: SCEA de Béliard and Jean-Jacques Montagne.Groom: Camille Coton

Cyrielle Lefèvre and 12-year-old gelding Armanjo SerosahOwner: Charline Guérin. Group 1Groom: Soizic Lefèvre

Gaspard Maksud and nine-year-old mare ZaragozaOwner: Jane Young and Martin ThurlowGroom: Lucy-Anna Westaway

Astier Nicolas and 12-year-old gelding Alertamalib’Or

Owner: Aliette Forien, Pascal Ravery, Nicolas Paul and Astier

Groom: Laura Schmitt

Nicolas Touzaint and 12-year-old gelding Absolut Gold*HDC

Owner: SARL Haras des Coudrettes

Groom: Aure Coulange

The French squad is training in Saint-Martin-de-Bréhal until Friday (9 September), when they will head to Italy.

Ahead of this final squad announcement, national technical director Sophie Dubourg said the French side has a “dual objective” at these championships – winning medals and gaining experience with Paris 2024 on the horizon.

“Our leaders will be keen to get on the podium after their fourth place in the teams four years ago at Tryon,” she said, adding she hopes these championships will “smile on” the French.

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Frenchman Astier Nicolas has taken the lead in the Land Rover Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI4*-S aboard Babylon De Gamma – as the clock proved influential in the showjumping phase.

Astier and the 11-year-old gelding – who were second in this class last year and won it in 2019 – produced a careful clear and added 1.2 time-penalties to their dressage. They go into tomorrow’s (28 August) cross-country phase on a score of 27.2.

The twisty showjumping track featured a number of rollbacks and tight turns, with not many places to make up any time. Of the 44 combinations that jumped, only five came within the 76-second allowance.

Astier told H&H he “didn’t love” his showjumping round but was “very happy” to move into the top spot.

“It was a bit short, but I don’t blame the time – I blame my riding more, I think I could have made the time,” he said.

“Nowadays it’s trendy to have tight times in the showjumping, it makes it a bit complex when it’s not really big. It’s something we’re seeing more and more so we’ve got to get used to it and ride accordingly.”

Astier said Babylon De Gamma is feeling “good” at his first four-star back since having hoof surgery last winter.

“He was meant to do Badminton but didn’t come back fast enough. He did an intermediate and this is his first CCI4*,” he said.

“I don’t know how the cross-country will go because he hasn’t had a season so he’s not as fit as he would be as before. We’ll see how he feels with the hills”.

Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality, who were lying fifth overnight, moved into second after they posted a clear jumping round and added 0.4 of a time-penalty to their 27.8 dressage.

“I’ve done two OIs with him and that was by far the biggest course I’ve jumped on him [today]. Obviously Piggy has done the most amazing job, but it’s quite hard to follow someone so phenomenally talented,” Tom told H&H, who added it has taken “a little while” to get to know the gelding in the showjumping phase.

“The first half we were just finding equilibrium together and the second half flowed really well. To be a second over through a tight time round a decent track, I was delighted with him.”

Overnight leaders after the dressage Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class had an unlucky pole and picked up 0.4 of a time-penalty, to drop into fifth. Oliver is also third overnight on Swallow Springs, fourth on Tregilder, sixth on As Is and seventh on Crazy Du Loir.

Yesterday (26 August) Oliver confirmed Tregilder and As will not compete in the Blair Castle CCI4*-S cross-country phase tomorrow, as they gear up for Burghley next weekend (1-4 September). He said he will decide later this evening after walking the cross-country course whether Ballaghmor Class will run tomorrow.

Alex Hua Tian and Don Geniro, who had been in third after the dressage, had two fences down in the showjumping and also added 0.8 of a time-fault to drop down to 14th going into the final Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI4*-S cross-country phase.

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France’s Rio Olympic eventing team gold and individual silver medallist Astier Nicolas has started riding the first offspring of Quickly Du Buguet, with whom he was placed at Badminton Horse Trials.

Irish Coffee is a four-year-old and he has top-class performance on both sides of his pedigree as he is by Upsilon, who was ridden to four wins at four-star level by Tom Carlile.

“Irish Coffee has just arrived at the yard,” said Astier. “He’s a stallion and he’s ‘a bit too stallion’ at the moment, but we’ll give him time and see if he settles.

“We may have him cut, particularly as he is pretty small, like his dam, so he might be an ideal horse for a girl coming off ponies or something like that. But we are right at the beginning and we’ll take things step by step.”

Quickly’s breeders Odile and Jean-Marie Cotinet are good friends of Astier’s so they decided to breed from the mare together and share the offspring.

“Jean-Marie is a top farrier and also breeds, so they bred Irish Coffee at their farm,” explained Astier.

Jean-Marie lives near Toulouse and Irish Coffee started his ridden education last November in the south of France. Astier is based in Normandy in the north and the horse arrived with him a week ago.

Astier said: “Apparently he was quieter when he left the farm where he was started, a little quirky but brave out hacking and so on. Arriving here in Normandy he has been pretty excited – we’ve just ridden him in the school and he’s easy to ride, but a bit excited in the barn.

“He will probably do a bit of work now, get him more ready to start jumping, school him and then he’ll go in the field to finish growing and we’ll ride him again later in the year.”

Quickly Du Buguet, an Anglo Arab by Zandor Z, is now 18 years old. She won the CCI3* (now CCI4*-L) at Blair Castle Horse Trials in 2014 and two years later finished 14th at Badminton.

Since her retirement she has had four foals including Irish Coffee. Two are by the Olympic showjumper Mylord Carthago*HN and one is by Jarnac, who also jumped at championship level.

“Then she had a break and we will try to put her in foal again this spring,” said Astier.

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Zara Tindall joins the list of top riders from Britain and across the world at the first Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, US, this month (14-17 October).

The 2006 world champion and London 2012 Olympic team silver medallist will contest the world’s newest CCI5* on Class Affair, alongside her compatriots Oliver Townend, on his two-time Kentucky Three-Day Event winner Cooley Master Class, Harry Meade on Superstition and US-based 2004 Olympic champion Leslie Law, on Voltaire De Tre.

Zara is entered on the 12-year-old Irish sport horse gelding, who is contesting his second event at this level. He has a number of top-10 finishes at four-star level, including seventh in the Nations Cup in Boekelo with Zara in October 2019, and ninth in the Houghton Hall Nations Cup with Tom McEwen in May this year. His last outing was at the Aachen CCIO4*-S this month, where he and Zara jumped clear across country.

Also confirmed at this late stage, before entries close tomorrow (30 September) is 2016 Olympic team gold and individual silver medallist Astier Nicolas, on Babylon DeGamma, representing France.

“It is so exciting to have so many of eventing’s best athletes from all around the world entered in the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill,” said Jeff Newman, president and chief executive of The Fair Hill organising committee.

“We’re thrilled and honored to have Olympic medallists like Zara Tindall and Astier Nicolas join the field of competitors, along with Harry and all the others entered to date. Their presence ensures that our inaugural event is going to be something special that is not to be missed!”

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Team gold and individual silver medal-winning French Olympic event rider Astier Nicolas will miss this summer’s Tokyo Games.

Astier, 32, was among France’s Olympic nominated entries list with the 10-year-old gelding Babylon De Gamma, but revealed today (1 July) that his Tokyo journey has ended.

The Frenchman was part of the gold medal-winning side at the 2016 Rio Olympics aboard Piaffe De B’Neville, with whom he also claimed individual silver.

Astier said that Babylon has a “slight sprain”.

“After consultation with the vets, France team staff and owners, we are forced to withdraw from the road to the Tokyo Olympics,” he said.

“This is a huge disappointment, but the priority will always be my horse’s health and we don’t want to take any chances for the rest of his career.

“Wishing all the best to my teammates, who will have the chance to go Tokyo. We will be behind them.”

Article continues below…

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The Selle Francais gelding (Mylord Carthago*hn x Happy Vergoignan*hn) has 12 double jumping clears at international events out of 19 starts.

The combination won bronze at the young horse World Championships in 2018, and their record includes a win at Blair CCI4*-S in 2019 and third place at Saumur CCI4*-L in April 2021.

The French squad has not yet been publicly announced for the Tokyo Games. The other eight combinations on the French entries list are: Jean-Lou Bigot (Utrillo Du Halage),Thomas Carlile (Birmane), Sebastien Cavaillon (Sarah D’Agrouges), Karim Florent Laghouag (Triton Fontaine), Maxime Livio (Api Du Libaire), Christopher Six (Totem de Brecey), Nicolas Touzaint (Absolut Gold) and Thibault Vallette (Qing du Briot).

The three reserves on the French nominated entries list are: Sydney Dufresne (Tresor Mail), Gireg Le Coz (Aispirit de la Loge) and Ugo Provasi (Shadd’Oc).

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Emilie Chandler concluded her pillar-to-post win in the CCI4*-L at the Land Rover Blair Castle Horse Trials today (Sunday, 25 August).

No one made the time in the showjumping in this class and Emilie piloted Maria Doel’s Gortfadda Diamond round just three seconds over the time to score a wide-margin victory.

“I’m thrilled he jumped clear for me — he was keener than I imagined he would be in the collecting ring and I almost thought I should have worked him this morning, but he was great in there,” said Emilie, who said she had been distracting herself by watching the British showjumpers in Rotterdam while she waited.

Rosa Onslow added just 0.8 of a time-fault to her score to confirm her second place on Diamond Sundance, with Simon Grieve taking third after just having the front bar off fence three and two time-faults on Mr Fahrenheit III.

The top three in the CCI3*-L all showjumped clear to hold their overnight positions, with Eleanor Hope taking first place above Victoria Wilson (Dont You Know) and Ashley Harrison (Zebedee IX).

Eleanor, who is also celebrating her 20th birthday today, rode her parents Margaret and Simon’s Limestone Romeo to victory.

“It was a long wait, I’m very relieved,” said Eleanor. “The two before me put the pressure on and we rattled a few, but he helped me out a lot.”

Hayden Hankey moved up from third to claim the CCI2*-L with Cartown Galaxy — in contrast to the CCI3*-L, he was the only one of the overnight top three to jump clear today.

“She was fantastic. I did feel confident — she’s an exceptional horse, so if you weren’t going to be confident on her, you’d never be confident on anything,” he said.

Scottish rider Morven Pringle rose from fifth overnight to second on Miss Contender, while Germany’s Josephine Schnaufer took third on Viktor 107 — although her overnight runner-up, Ronaldo IV, dropped to 10th when he took the front rails off number two and the last fence.

Polly Stockton led this class overnight, but struggled to balance Sir Alfred II and change legs round the corner to fence three and had it down, which sent her down to sixth.

Article continues below…

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Astier Nicolas took the CCI4*-S for France, moving up from fourth after showjumping to top spot on Babylon De Gamma, who belongs to Etienne Grivot, Marielle Grivot Bize and his rider. He had the fastest round across country today, with just 5.6 time-faults.

“I always said he’s a top horse from when I started riding him and he proved it again today,” said Astier.

Sam Ecroyd held second on Davinci III, while two-phase leaders Daisy Berkeley and Ballinteskin Cooper S dropped to third with 11.2 time-faults.

Full report on Blair in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine (dated 29 August).

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Piaf De B’Neville, the horse responsible for claiming France an individual silver and team gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was retired in an official ceremony at Les étoiles de Pau CCI4* on Sunday afternoon (28 October).

Known as ‘Ben’ at home, the now 15-year-old, helped launch the international career of Astier Nicolas.

“He did nearly everything for my career and today is emotional,” said Astier. “But I’m also happy because he has retired as a sound and successful horse.”

From the 20 international starts Ben had during his career, he never faulted across country and was in the top 10 13 times.

“I hope I have more horses like him in the future,” admitted Astier. “My biggest achievement with him was winning the CCI4* at Pau in 2015. That was special.”

With Astier Ben also won the CCI3* under-25 in 2012, was ninth at Badminton in 2013, eighth in Aachen in 2014 and he also won the CIC3* at Chatsworth in 2016. He also represented France at the European championships in Malmö in 2013, where they contributed to a team bronze.

His final event was at Badminton in 2017, where he finished 15th with a clear round across country.

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During the ceremony, Ben, who was owned by a syndicate, was gifted to his former groom, Julie Le Marinel.

“I was his groom at his first Badminton and I’m so happy he can come and live with me near where he was born in Cherbourg,” said an emotional Julie. “He loves cows, so he will live out with my milkers and act as my Jeep around the farm.”

Ben’s retirement was announced in May earlier this year, but the ceremony saw him retired in the traditional manner, where he was ridden into the main arena in front of the crowds and then untacked. Julie then led him around on a lap of honour.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

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Riders have been giving their impressions of the CCI4* cross-country course at Luhmühlen, which has been designed by Mike Etherington-Smith for the first time. Mark Phillips was the track’s designer for more than a decade until last year.

“You can trip up anywhere, but it’s not the most testing four-star,” said Britain’s Oliver Townend, who lies ninth after dressage on Black Tie. “But it’s a new course-designer and a tricky country to design in [public perception of eventing in Germany is often negative, particularly around horse and rider injuries and fatalities]. 11 minutes 11 seconds will find some out.”

Fellow Brit Sarah Bullimore, sixth overnight on Lilly Corinne, said the course seems to flow well: “It’s always going to be a slightly twisty track, but it feels more flowing than some here.”

Germany’s Julia Krajewski, second after dressage on Samourai Du Thot, said: “It’s very different to last year. There are lots of waters [four], which is typical of Luhmühlen.

“The first half is more hard work, in the second you have to concentrate but there is more space to gallop. It’ll be interesting to see who has the energy to use the space at the end. There are lots of drops and jumping uphill, which will cost energy and break up the rhythm.”

Frenchman Astier Nicolas echoed Julia in pointing out the intensity of the first half of the course and saying there are a lot of drop fences on the course.

“It’s not as big as Badminton, but I am riding a less experienced horse, so it’s enough for me,” he said ahead of his round on fifth-placed Molakai. “The first half is intense and the horses could tire early. You’ve got to find your rhythm early or it’ll be difficult to catch up time.”

Continued below…

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The CCI4* cross-country starts at 1.09pm local time tomorrow (12.09pm British time). The cross-country for the accompanying CIC3* begins at 9.15am local time (8.15am British time).

Results and times from Luhmühlen

Check back for regular updates from Luhmühlen over the weekend, plus full report in H&H next week, out Thursday, 22 June.

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Michael Jung delivered a faultless round at the Rio Olympics today to retain the individual gold medal he won four years ago at the London 2012 Olympics. The German’s round on Sam FBW was one of only two clears of the riders sitting in the top 10 going into the final deciding round of showjumping.

Astier Nicolas took the individual silver, a huge result for the young French rider. Piaf De Bneville came down heavily on the back bar of the oxer at fence three, but he could afford the four faults and still take home the medal.

Phillip Dutton moved up from fourth going into the decider to take the individual bronze for the USA on Mighty Nice, despite having the last part of the treble at fence four down.

“It was a disappointing day yesterday for our team — a lot of people worked hard to get us here and it’s pretty gutting, but we just had to get up and do our best today,” he said. “I was happy with fourth, I’m ecstatic to get bronze.”

Australia’s Chris Burton was in the individual bronze position before the last round, but he had the final two fences down on Santano II.

New Zealand’s Clarke Johnstone could have taken the individual bronze if he’d had a clear round on Balmoral Sensation but he had two fences down, leaving him sixth behind Sam Griffiths, who went clear on Paulank Brockagh for fourth, and Chris in fifth.

“I’ve just lost two medals,” said Clarke glumly afterwards, alluding also to New Zealand’s disastrous time in the team competition earlier.

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Full 25-page report on the eventing from Rio 2016 in H&H next week — out Friday, 12 August. H&H is published on Friday instead of Thursday next week only to allow us to report the full eventing competition from the Olympics.

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France won the team gold in the Rio Olympics eventing this morning, pulling up from third overnight.

Astier Nicolas (Piaf De B’Neville) and Thibaut Vallette (Qing Du Briot) both delivered clears. Mathieu Lemoine (Bart L) had the last two fences down, but with other nations also suffering problems, they won by 3.8 penalties.

“I’m really happy with my horse — he’s a great jumper and I would have been shocked if he’d had any penalties,” said Thibaut after jumping.

Germany moved up from fourth overnight to take team silver when Michael Jung and Sam FBW, Ingrid Klimke (Hale Bob OLD) and Sandra Auffarth (Opgun Louvo) all recorded clear rounds.

The Australians dropped to team bronze when Stuart Tinney and Pluto Mio had four fences down and individual leader Chris Burton racked up eight penalties with Santano II. Sam Griffiths went clear, which was instrumental in keeping the Aussies in the medals.

Michael is now leading going into the individual decider and poised to retain his crown from London 2012. Chris has dropped to third, while Astier Nicolas has moved up to sit in the individual silver position.

“Of course, I’m disappointed, but I just spoke to Sam and he said come and have a drink,” said Chris. “We’ll hydrate, make sure the horses are ok and re-focus for the individual competition.”

New Zealand were the big losers today when they sank from second to fourth. Clarke Johnstone’s clear with Balmoral Sensation was not enough to save them when Jonelle Price had two down with Faerie Dianimo and Mark Todd hit a disastrous four rails on Leonidas II.

“He’s never jumped like that before — he’s a funny, temperamental horse, but he’s been in big atmospheres before and never done that,” said Mark.

Classy clears for Britain’s quartet

Britain’s horses jumped brilliantly this morning and all left all the poles intact, with the team moving up from eighth to fifth.

Gemma Tattersall just had four time-faults on the Pebbles’ Syndicate’s Quicklook V.

“Thank god for that. She came out really well this morning and jumped a beautiful clear, so I’m really happy with her,” she said.

Kitty King had a great round with Jacqueline Owen, Diana Bown and Samantha Wilson’s Ceylor LAN.

“He jumped brilliantly and felt really fresh, which is a credit to our team in the stables — the grooms, vets and physios worked really hard on the horses last night,” she said.

Pippa Funnell said of her round on the late Carol Toliver’s Billy The Biz: “He’s a good boy and came out and jumped well today.”

William Fox-Pitt will progress to the individual round this afternoon in 18th place with Chris and Lisa Stone’s Chilli Morning.

“It’s all rather unimportant now, but the horses did jump well and it’s good to finish on a good note,” he said.

Continued below…

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Full 25-page report on the eventing from Rio 2016 in H&H next week — out Friday, 12 August. H&H is published on Friday instead of Thursday next week only to allow us to report the full eventing competition from the Olympics.

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France’s eventing team for the Rio Olympics has been named:

• Karim-Florent Laghouag and Entebbe De Hus
• Mathieu Lemoine and Bart L
• Astier Nicolas and Piaf De Bneville
• Thibaut Vallette and Qing Du Briot

Reserve: Nicolas Touzaint on Crocket 30

Astier Nicolas is based in Wiltshire. He won the CCI4* at Pau last year with Piaf De Bneville and the pair were on the bronze medal-winning team at the 2013 European Championships in Malmö.

Thibaut Vallette made an impressive championship debut at last year’s European Championships at Blair Castle, picking up individual bronze on Qing Du Briot and leading the team to bronze too. France had to collect a qualification for Rio at the Europeans last year, as they had lost the qualification gained at the 2014 World Equestrian Games when Maxime Livio’s ride Qalao Des Mers had a positive dope test.

Karim-Florent and Entebbe were also on the Blair team, although they didn’t complete individually as they had a fall across country. They bounced back with fifth at Pau CCI34* last autumn and third in a CIC3* at Chatsworth this spring.

Mathieu Lemoine and Bart L also contributed to the bronze medal in Scotland last year with 16th place individually.

The fourth member of the Blair team, Tom Carlile, has not been selected and it was announced today that his top horse Sirocco Du Gers was ruled out of selection due to an inflamed splint bone. Tom was also long-listed with the eight-year-old grey stallion Upsilon, but has not made the final cut.

With the Australian team named yesterday, most of the big hitters in the eventing competition have now shown their hand in terms of selection. The German squad run at Aachen this weekend and the selection will be finally confirmed after that, but the likely quartet has already been announced.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

After taking the top spot in the inaugural running of the Event Rider Masters at the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials this weekend (14-15 May), it’s about time you knew a bit more about Frenchman Astier Nicolas (if you didn’t already…)

1. The 27-year-old is not short of ambition

“When I go to a competition I always think that I can win, that’s why I go,” he tells H&H. And it’s an attitude that pays off — he took his first four-star title on home turf at Pau last October, with the 17hh gelding Piaf De Bneville.

2. He’s also pretty upbeat

“Don’t dwell on things that are not going right, but focus on what you can do to make them better,” says Astier, who is the youngest of five siblings. “Consider all your options and the bigger picture — not everything is about the immediate win.”

3. Astier is one of England’s biggest fans

“It was love at first sight when I arrived in England,” he tells us. “[Eventing] is more professional and organised in England.” First sight was in 2009 when, aged 20, he came to Wiltshire to work for Andrew Nicholson, having been introduced at Saumur.

4. He has learnt from the best

“For a long time now I’ve said that my time with Andrew was the best time of my life — I got a very good insight into a proper, professional yard. It left a big print,” he says.

5. He likes England so much, that he enrolled to do a degree here so that he could stick around

“When I left Andrew’s I thought, ‘I have to come back’. I was studying at the time so I managed to get a scholarship to Hartpury College to do a degree there and ride horses in England.”

6. He’s had his fair share of big results

Astier returned to France in 2012 to prepare for the London Olympics and despite not being selected, he did manage to take the under-25 CCI3* at Bramham that year. In 2013 he came ninth at his first Badminton with Piaf De Bneville, in 2014 he took the CCI3* title at Blair with Quickly Du Buguet and this year the pair finished 14th at Badminton.

7. Astier is now fully settled this side of the Channel

In 2013 he set up camp at Nick Gauntlett’s in Gloucestershire to prepare for Badminton, and he is now based on eventer Helen Cole’s Wiltshire yard, where he rents 12 boxes and has access to two schools and a walker.

8. He’s had a taste of championship glory

Astier had his first taste of championship success in 2013 when he was part of the French bronze medal-winning team at the European Championships in Malmö.

9. He produces his own horses

“I prefer to produce my horses from when they are babies — I want them to trust me 100% and be my friend, so that I can ask more of them when I need to,” he says.

10. He is not one to sit around

Astier “never switches on the TV in his room” and when he is at a loose end he rides out for local Flat trainer Roger Charlton.

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11. He’s a speed demon

In fact in another life, he would have liked to have been a jockey. “When I see the finances, I should have been a jockey,” he says. Luckily for the eventing world, he hasn’t pursued that one…

Don’t miss the full report from the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials in 19 May issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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Words by Helen Scott, picture courtesy of Event Rider Masters, www.eventridermasters.tv

The French took four out of the top five spots in the inaugural running of the Event Rider Masters at the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials, with Astier Nicolas, on his four-star horse Piaf De Bneville, taking the top step on the podium.

Kitty King, on the competition leader Ceylor LAN, went into the cross-country last with a comfortable lead. But she had a nightmare in the start box when the nine-year-old was affected by the atmosphere of the nearby finish line and wouldn’t jump out.

“He felt quite relaxed warming up, but we were last to go and all the other horses had left us so he got wound up. I reckon we lost about 30 seconds. It was such a shame as he was foot perfect all the way round,” said Kitty. The pair dropped to 17th.

The best of the Brits, Gemma Tattersall on Quicklook V, was cheered to the rafters by the crowd and for a moment it looked as if she would do it. But sensibly steadying up for the final fence cost her vital seconds and she finished fourth. She joined the podium briefly until Astier Nicolas deposed her.

The Event Rider Masters is a new competition running at six venues across the season, each with a £50,000 prize fund. The 40 top riders who enter (according to the FEI rankings) are accepted into the class and from the start it was a competitive affair. Showjumping and cross-country are run in reverse order, with current leaders sitting on the podium until they are deposed. Ian Stark’s cross-country track made use of the undulations and had plenty of questions, made more challenging by patches of sticky going.

Kitty easily led after the dressage, nearly four penalties ahead of Ireland’s Aoife Clark, on Fernhill Adventure, who had a glance off cross-country, and Germany’s Bettina Hoy on Seigneur Medicott.

She held on to her lead with an immaculate clear showjumping to go into the final phase in podium position, followed by Astier Nicolas and Gemma Tattersall.

The pathfinder cross-country, Christopher Burton on TS Jamaimo, was the only man to get the time, and remained on the podium for a long time until the French invasion began. They eventually finished sixth.

“I really had to chance my arm to do it,” admitted Christopher.

First of the French to make their mark was Karim Laghouag on Entebbe De Hus, eventual third. He was topped by Thibaut Vallette on Qing De Briot, eventual second, until Astier blazed round, with his 6.8 time-penalties nudging him just ahead of his compatriots.

“He’s hopefully heading to Rio, so I didn’t want to go too mad,” said Astier, “but he’s an experienced horse and gave me a fantastic ride.”

Emily King and Flora Harris had falls, and Sam Watson and Tom McEwen were unseated, but all horses and riders walked away.

Full report from Chatsworth, including the ERM and other CIC3* classes, in H&H this week (19 May).

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France’s Astier Nicolas riding Piaf De B’Neville (pictured above) showjumped clear this afternoon (25 October) to claim his first CCI4* title at Pau.

His victory was met with a roaring seal of approval from the full grandstand, who have not seen a home rider take this title since Nicolas Touzaint in 2007.

“It feels so good to do this in France,” said Astier. “Winning my first four-star is a moment I have waited for a long time.”

Michael Jung was the overnight leader, but Halunke FBW was withdrawn from the holding box at this morning’s final horse inspection. Consequently his second ride, Fischerrocana FST, upgraded to the top spot but she kicked out a showjump and finished second.

“I am very happy with her,” said Michael of his 2015 Kentucky CCI4* champion. “It was unlucky to have a pole but she gave me a good feeling.”

A clear round aboard Wesko, who won Luhmuhlen CCI4* last year, moved Tim Price into third.

“It’s great for Wesko to keep coming out and remaining consistent, especially the year before an Olympics,” said Tim.

Emily King and Brookleigh (pictured below) had one showjump down to finish fourth at their first CCI4*.

“It’s been her dream to ride at four-star ever since she knew the level existed,” said Emily’s mother Mary, who watched nervously from the sidelines before punching the air in delight.

From the 33 starters there were seven clear rounds. Two of these came from Frenchman Karim Florent Laghouag, who piloted Entebbe De Hus into fifth and Punch De L’Esques into seventh.

Sixth was Germany’s Claas Romeike, son of 2008 Olympic champion Hinrich, riding Cato 60.

Britain’s Sarah Bullimore finished eighth riding Valentino V, while a clear round from Ireland’s Clare Abbott saw her climb seven places up the leaderboard to ninth.

Mark Todd and NZB Campino rounded off the top 10.

There was disappointment for several riders. Tim Lips and Concrex Bayro’s 12 faults dropped them from sixth to 11^th, while Indian Mill kicked out six fences to plummet 10 places to 17^th.

FRH Butts Avedon hit four showjumps and slipped to 12^th with Germany’s Andrea Dibowski.

Don’t miss the full Pau report in next week’s issue of Horse & Hound, on sale 29 October.

Pau — final top 10:

1, Piaf De B’Neville (Astier Nicolas, FRA) 38.5

2, Fischerrocana FST (Michael Jung, GER) 39.4

3, Wesko (Tim Price, NZL) 40

4, Brookleigh (Emily King, GBR) 42.3

5, Entebbe De Hus (Karim Florent Laghoua, FRA) 42.6

6, Cato 60 (Claas Romeike, GER) 47.3

7, Punch De L’Esques (Karim Florent Laghoua, FRA) 49.3

8, Valentino V (Sarah Bullimore, GBR) 49.8

9, Euro Prince (Clare Abbott, IRL) 50.7

10, NZB Campino (Mark Todd, NZL) 51.3

View the results in full here.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now