Latest from Horse & Hound in Nicolas-touzaint

Olympic medallist and podium contender to miss Blenheim European Championships

Pippa Roome — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 14:05:18 +0000

Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold HDC are among the withdrawals from the Agria Blenheim European Championships this week (17-21 September), because the horse has a minor injury.

The pair have led the French team to two medals – team bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 (sixth individually) and team bronze at the 2023 Europeans in Haras du Pin (fifth individually) – and were also 10th at the 2019 Europeans, where France finished fourth as a team. Last year, they were seventh on their Burghley Horse Trials debut.

A statement from the French federation (the FFE) said the decision to withdraw 15-year-old gelding Absolut Gold had been made in agreement with the rider, the horse’s owners Haras des Coudrettes and the treating vet.

“The FFE thanks the commitment of Nicolas Touzaint and the owners of Absolut Gold HDC and wishes a good recovery to the horse, whose return to the competition can be considered in a few weeks,” said the statement.

Gireg Le Coz has been called up to replace Nicolas Touzaint. Gireg, who was 15th at the 2023 Europeans on Aisprit De La Loge, will ride championship debutant Caramel D’Orchis. Their most recent international result is eighth in a CCI4*-S in Vittel in June.

The other members of the French squad are Sebastien Cavaillon (Elipso De La Vigne), Luc Chateau (Cocorico De L’Ebat), Alexis Goury (Je’Vall), Benjamin Massie (Figaro Fonroy) and Astier Nicolas (Alertamalib’Or).

Nicolas Touzaint was set to be one of four riders at this week’s Blenheim European Championships who also rode at the 2005 championships at the Oxfordshire venue. The others are Belgium’s Karin Donckers, Italy’s Vittoria Panizzon and Lithuania’s Aistis Vitkauskas.

Hungarian rider Balázs Kaizinger is also on the Blenheim European Championships withdrawals list, with Herr Cooles Classico. This leaves Hungary with just one rider at Blenheim, Noémi Viola Doerfer on Piltown Harry.

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Previous winners of Pau Horse Trials: Olympic medallists, the sire of a five-star horse and a French female first

Pippa Roome — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 07:30:47 +0000

This month’s Pau Horse Trials is the 17th running of the French event at five-star (formerly four-star) level. Many of the former Pau Horse Trials winners have been – or have gone on to become – legends in the sport of eventing.

Let’s take a look back at them…

Pau Horse Trials winners, 2007-2023

Cross Country . Nicolas Touzaint and Hildago De L'Ile . (Image credit: Phil Mingo)

2007: Nicolas Touzaint (France) and Hildago De L’Ile

The first winners of Pau as a top-level event, a popular victory for the home side. Nicolas went on to become the first French winner of Badminton, piloting Hildago De L’Ile to take the British spring classic in 2008. Hildago De L’Ile was a team silver medallist at the 2005 Blenheim Europeans – although with a fall across country they were the discard score – and he closed out his career by being Nicolas’ ride at the 2012 London Olympics.

bettina hoy and ringwood cockatoo (Image credit: trevor meeks)

2008: Bettina Hoy (Germany) and Ringwood Cockatoo

This was Bettina and Ringwood Cockatoo’s second top-level win, after victory at Luhmühlen in 2005. They were also prolific winners at three-star (now four-star level) and successful championship performers, taking team gold at the 2006 World Equestrian Games, team bronze at the 2005 European Championships and individual bronze at the 2007 Europeans – as well, of course, as being stripped of their double gold medals at the 2004 Olympics after it was discovered Bettina had crossed the start line twice. After Pau, the pair were second at the US flagship event at Kentucky in 2009 before the horse retired from eventing, going on to compete in dressage with Claire Llewellyn until he was 25.

Olympics Eventing SJumping 31 07 2012 SCHRADE DirkKING ARTUS (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

2009: Dirk Schrade (Germany) and King Artus

Not the highest profile Pau Horse Trials winner, but King Artus was consistently placed at three-star (now four-star) level before and after his Pau win. He was fourth as an individual at the 2011 European Championships and a team gold medallist at the 2012 London Olympics. King Artus’s story had a sad end when he collapsed and died after finishing second at Wiesbaden in 2013.

European Horse Trials Luhmuhlen Day 3 27 08 11 FRH Fantasia andreas dibowski (Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

2010: Andreas Dibowski (Germany) and FRH Fantasia

Again, one of Pau’s less well known winners. FRH Fantasia was a team gold medallist at the 2011 Europeans a year after Pau, although she was eliminated so not a counting score. She finished her career doing a season with Korean rider Sangwuk Song and the pair were team and individual gold medallists at the Asian Games.

OSLO William Fox-Pitt (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

2011: William Fox-Pitt (Great Britain) and Oslo

A six-year-old winner and seven-year-old runner-up at Le Lion, Oslo was also the winner of Tattersalls CCI3* (now CCI4*-L) and the eight- and nine-year-old class at Blenheim in the same year he won Pau. His career peaked here, though, as injury meant he did not compete consistently afterwards, although he did complete Badminton 2013. Oslo started his competition career as a stallion and semen was taken from him and frozen before he was cut; he was the sire of William’s five-star ride Oratorio.

Andrew Nicholson riding NEREO during the cross country phaseof The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Stamford UK, September, 2013 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

2012: Andrew Nicholson (New Zealand) and Nereo

Pau’s first Antipodean winner and a hugely successful combination. By the time of his Pau win, Nereo had already given Andrew his first individual championship medal – a bronze to match a team gong of the same colour at the 2010 World Equestrian Games. He was a team bronze medallist and fourth individually at London 2012 in the summer before Pau and later provided Andrew with a long-awaited Badminton win in 2017. He was also second at Burghley three times and finished in the top 12 at Badminton on four other occasions.

WILLIAM FOX-PITT (GBR) RIDING SEACOOKIE in the CCI **** at Pau in France on 27 October 2013 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

2013: William Fox-Pitt (Great Britain) and Seacookie TSF

A successful top-level campaigner who was also second and eighth at Burghley and second, sixth and ninth at Kentucky, as well as winning Blenheim. He retired from eventing soon after his Pau win, following the 2014 season. William is the only rider who has won Pau more than once.

Ingrid KLIMKE (GER) riding HORSEWARE HALE BOB during the cross country phase of the CCI**** at Les Etoiles de Pau, in Pau France between 23th -26th October 2014 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

2014: Ingrid Klimke (Germany) and SAP Hale Bob OLD

It is extraordinary that Pau was Ingrid’s first five-star victory, despite her many top placings through a long and illustrious career; she made it two when she won Luhmühlen the following season on SAP Escada FRH. SAP Hale Bob OLD has a superb record alongside his Pau win – he was European champion in 2017 and 2019 and is the winner of five other championship medals, including world individual bronze and Olympic team silver. He has won 18 times at international level in all.

PIAF DE B'NEVILLE Astier Nicolas (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

2015: Astier Nicolas (France) and Piaf De B’Neville

The first home side Pau Horse Trials winner since Nicolas Touzaint won the inaugural running, but he started a run of French wins at the event. Piaf De B’Neville had already won the under-25s at Bramham and been ninth at Badminton by the time of his Pau win and he capped it with individual silver and team gold at the Rio Olympics less than a year later.

Maxime LIVIO (FRA) riding QALAO DES MERS during cross country phase of the Pau CCI**** near Pau in the Pyrenees region of France on 15th October 2016 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

2016: Maxime Livio (France) and Qalao Des Mers

A victory at Pau firmly put to rest the fact Maxime and Qalao Des Mers were until this point most famous for being disqualified from the 2014 World Equestrian Games. They also achieved two seconds on their two four-star (now five-star) runs either side of Pau, Luhmühlen 2016 and Kentucky 2017.

Gwendolen Fer riding Romantic Love FRA during the Cross Country Phase of The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials at Badminton in Gloucestershire, UK on 7th May 2016 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

2017: Gwendolen Fer (France) and Romantic Love

Gwendolen’s victory made her the first French female rider to win at the top level. The pair were also 16th at Badminton in 2016 and have won four times at CIC3*/CCI4*-L level.

Thibault Fournier riding SINIANI DE LATHUS (FRA) during the cross country phase of the British Horse Feeds CCI***U25 at the Bramham International Horse Trials on the Bramham Estate near Weatherby in North Yorkshire in the UK on 9th June 2018 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

2018: Thibault Fournier (France) and Siniani De Lathus

Somewhat surprising winners, who had been second in the under-25s at Bramham earlier that season, but were making their debut at the top level. After two years away from the international eventing fray, Siniani De Lathus returned in 2021 and had two top-10 placings at two- and three-star.

GBR-Tom McEwen rides Toledo De Kerser during the Cross Country for the CCI5*-L. Interim-1st. Les 5 Etoiles de Pau. Pyrenees Atlantiques. France. Saturday 26 October. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography (Image credit: Libby Law)

2019: Tom McEwen (Great Britain) and Toledo De Kerser

This was the win everyone knew Tom and Toledo had in them and followed three top-11 placings at Badminton, plus world team gold and individual 12th at the World Equestrian Games in 2018. They went on to be members of the British gold medal-winning team at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where they also took individual silver.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

2020: Laura Collett (Great Britain) and London 52

This was a first five-star win for Laura, while London 52 was making his debut at the level. He had been a successful horse through the grades, but also made some high-profile mistakes, so the rider was thrilled that her faith in him paid off. The pair were selected as members of the British Olympic team the following year and took home team gold from the Tokyo Games. They also competed at the 2022 World Championships and collected team gold at the 2023 Europeans. The following year, 2024, they led the Brits to team gold at the Paris Olympics and collected individual bronze, too.

2021: Tim Price and Falco

Falco delivered victory for Tim on his first time at five-star, while it was the rider’s fourth win at the level. Falco – who is owned by British former championship rider Sue Benson – went on to take individual bronze at the 2022 World Championships and lead the Kiwis to team bronze. Falco was also Tim’s ride at the Paris Olympics, where he was sixth, and finished second at Maryland 5 Star in 2024.

2022: Jonelle Price (New Zealand) and Grappa Nera

Tim Price passed the crown to his wife when Jonelle moved up in the final phase to land the win in 2022, her third at five-star. Grappa Nera did not have a great deal of form coming into the event, but the rider said she had always known the 11-year-old mare was a good horse and it was a case of when she would show that, not if. The mare went on to take sixth at Badminton in 2024.

2023: Ros Canter (Great Britain) and Izilot DHI

Ros scored her first five-star win at Badminton Horse Trials in the spring of 2023 and her second at Pau in the autumn of the same year. Izilot DHI is a very talented but also spooky horse and his Pau win was followed by leading the dressage at both British five-stars in 2024, but Ros retired him during the cross-country phase at both events. He returns to Pau in 2024, so perhaps he will keep up his unblemished Pau record and prove France is his favourite five-star destination.

Pictures by Phil Mingo, trevor-meeks-photography.co.uk, Peter Nixon, Nico Morgan and Libby Law Photography

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‘I’m very excited’: multiple medallist and Badminton winner to make Burghley debut

Pippa Roome — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 11:58:46 +0000

Multiple medal-winning event rider Nicolas Touzaint plans to make his Defender Burghley Horse Trials debut at this year’s event (5-8 September), riding Absolut Gold HDC.

“I’m very excited for it,” said the French rider. “I’ve never been there, not even on foot, so I’m very motivated to be there – I can’t wait.”

Nicolas won a team silver medal at the Paris Olympics on Diabolo Menthe, completing his set of Olympic team medals as he took gold in Athens in 2004 and bronze in Tokyo in 2021.

He is also a two-time individual European champion with Galan De Sauvagère (2003 and 2007) and has eight European team medals to his name – two golds (2003 and 2007), four silvers (2003, 2005, 2007 and 2011) and two bronzes (2013 and 2023).

Absolut Gold HDC was originally listed alongside Diabolo Menthe as a potential Paris ride for Nicolas and was his partner in team bronze at the Tokyo Olympics and 2023 Europeans, leading the French team to victory on both occasions with sixth and fifth places individually. He also contested the 2019 Europeans, where he was 10th individually, and the 2022 World Championships. Burghley will mark the horse’s five-star debut.

Burghley Horse Trials debutant Nicolas Touzaint himself has experience at five-star level and was the first – and so far only – French winner of Badminton Horse Trials, a victory he pulled off in 2008 riding Hildago De L’Ile. He also won the first running of Pau Horse Trials at five-star level in 2007 on the same horse.

The world number 15 last rode in Britain at Chatsworth Horse Trials last year, where he was second in a CCI4*-S section on Diabolo Menthe and seventh at the same level on Absolut Gold HDC, so it will be exciting for British fans to have a chance to watch the most consistent French rider of the past two decades in Britain again.

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‘He hates umbrellas!’– Laura Collett strengthens British dressage lead despite unwelcome showers

Martha Terry — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 13:38:06 +0000

It perhaps wasn’t quite the record-breaking mark Laura Collett was dreaming of, but London 52 yet again delivered a brilliant performance between the white boards to slot into second spot on 22.4 at the European Eventing Championships dressage.

Laura was the third of the British team riders to go, and London 52 looked fit to burst as he trotted outside the arena in the rain, but he kept his cool in the ring to produce the extravagant, powerful and elastic performance for which he has become renowned. However, from Laura’s perspective, their test was a disappointment and she had to use all her horsemanship skills to keep the horse on side after he was spooked by the umbrellas.

“He was a bit fragile – he absolutely hates umbrellas,” said Laura. “It started raining and as I went in he noticed the umbrellas. So he felt like he was very aware of that, whereas normally he is 100% with me in the arena. I had to try and coax him into remembering to listen to me and not think about the umbrellas. So it wasn’t the best test he’s ever done, but I’m just glad it was good enough to be close enough.”

The pressure was on this fabulous pairing, as although they can count Olympic team gold, and Badminton, Pau and Luhmühlen victories, among their illustrious accolades, they have yet to take home an individual championship medal.

The 14-year-old Landos gelding made a super entry and first halt, and his test was peppered with nines – and even a 10 for their final halt from the judge at M, Seppo Laine. His extensions in trot and canter were beautiful, and it was just the extended walk that dropped a few marks.

“With him, he doesn’t have too much of a weakness other than when I lose his mind, so it felt fragile, perhaps felt more fragile than it looked,” Laura said. “But the last time there were umbrellas he totally lost the plot so we are getting there.”

Laura added that the cross-country will prove a tough challenge, particularly on rain-softened going.

“It’s a proper track – more like a five-star than a four-star championship track,” she said. “Dimensionally it’s really big and square; there’s no let-up for the horses and the ground is going to play a massive part. We were expecting lots of angles, arrowheads and skinnies here, but it’s more like a Bramham or Bicton, so hopefully our horses are used to that and can go out and do the job. It’s going to be a serious test.”

Laura’s excellent dressage score has further strengthened Britain’s position at the head of the team competition. The team pathfinder Kitty King is now lying fifth on Vendredi Biats, while the overnight leader Yasmin Ingham is third on Banzai Du Loir. Tom McEwen’s leading score of 22 on JL Dublin will not count for the team as he is riding as an individual.

European Eventing Championships: day two

Nadja Minder of Switzerland kicked off the afternoon dressage session on day two with the appealingly named Toblerone. The 23-year-old rider was 11th at the young rider Europeans on this now 16-year-old – by the great Yarland Summersong – two years ago and produced a calm and rhythmic test here for 31.7. This was good enough to go into 14th towards the end of the dressage phase and improve the Swiss team score.

Double European champion Nicolas Touzaint kept France’s podium hopes alive on his championship stalwart Absolut Gold HDC. The pair finished sixth at the Tokyo Olympics and having under-performed at the World Championships last autumn, gave the French supporters something to cheer about here with a true-to-form score of 32.1. Absolut Gold, who wore a nose net, stumbled into the first halt and later fluffed one of the flying changes, which earned him fours. But the overall look was pleasing and delivered the best of the French team members’ scores so far.

End of day update: Laura Collett now holds fourth place. Full results here.

Horse & Hound has a team of reporters covering all the action at the Europeans in Haras du Pin. To keep reading on our website after five articles, readers will need to buy a subscription. Visit horseandhound.co.uk/join to buy a Horse & Hound website unlimited subscription or, for great value, visit magazinesdirect.com/XHH-brandsite for a combined magazine and website subscription. If you are already a magazine subscriber, the cost to upgrade your subscription to include full website access is minimal – call 0330 333 1113 to find out more.

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A horse like no other: farewell to Badminton champion aged 28

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 25 May 2023 15:47:50 +0000

There are horses like no other – and Hildago De L’Ile was one of them.

French event rider Nicolas Touzaint has paid tribute to his Badminton-winning superstar, who has died at the age of 28.

The Selle Francais gelding died 15 years to the day after he won his Badminton title, which was also cross-country day at this year’s event.

“You have to see that as a sign,” Nicolas said. “To the day, 15 years since this legendary victory.”

Nicolas and “Toto” competed internationally for a decade, winning their first FEI event in 2002 and bowing out after the London Olympics in 2012, having jumped clear across country and in the showjumping to help the French team to eighth place.

Badminton final scores

They also represented France at the 2006 World Equestrian Games, and the 2005 Europeans, where the team won silver. They won Pau CCI4* (now five-star) in 2007, scoring a home victory the first year the event ran at the top level, having come third at Aachen the same year.

“There are horses like no other,” Nicolas said. “Hildago De L’Ile was one.

“I was so proud to show this picture of him and his buddy the other day. But 48 hours later he passed away.

“He was out of the ordinary to the end, a concrete physique, an extraordinary mind, an unlimited kindness. I owe him so much… I will never forget it…

“See you soon, my Toto.”

France eyes medals – and Paris 2024 prep – with World Eventing Championships team

Lucy Elder — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 17:08:20 +0000

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.

9 young event horse world champions who’ve made a big impact

Pippa Roome — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 11:24:58 +0000

This week, the best six- and seven-year-olds in eventing from around the world converge on Le Lion d’Angers in France to fight it out for the prestigious young horse World Championship titles.

These championships often throw up serious horses to watch in the future, such as these previous winners…

The wonderful grey Darien Powers (above) was a winner at Le Lion in 1994 and went on to scale the heights of eventing with Australia’s Andrew Hoy. He won Olympic team gold medals in 1996 and 2000 and claimed the British open title in 1997 at Gatcombe.

WILLIAM FOX-PITT riding OSLO (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Oslo won the six-year-old class at Le Lion in 2008 with William Fox-Pitt. The French-bred horse went on to claim a four-star (now five-star) title at Pau in 2011 when he was just nine, as well as winning the CCI3* (now CCI4*-L) at Tattersalls and the eight- and nine-year-old class at Blenheim in the same year.

Ingrid Klimke and Sleep Late (Image credit: www.trevor-meeks-photography.co.uk)

Ingrid Klimke’s ride Sleep Late won at Le Lion in 1998. He went on to win an individual bronze medal at the 2005 European Championships at Blenheim and contest the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympics for Germany. He was also a team gold medal winner at the 2006 World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen.

Michael Jung (GER)&fischerRocana FST - Cross Country - CCI4* - Luhmuhlen 2014 - Salzhausen, Germany - 14 June 2014 (Image credit: Jon Stroud Media)

FischerRocana FST took the six-year-old title at Le Lion in 2011 with Michael Jung. Since then, she has won the premier US event at Kentucky three times and been a team gold and individual silver medallist at the 2014 WEG in Caen, as well as taking individual silver at the 2017 European Championships in Strzegom.

France's Nicolas Touzaint in action onboard Galan De Sauvagere. (Image credit: TT News Agency/Press Association)

The great grey Galan De Sauvagère is one of Le Lion’s greatest success stories. He won both the six- (2000) and seven-year-old (2001) classes with Nicolas Touzaint and went on to win the individual European gold medal twice, in 2003 at Punchestown and 2007 at Pratoni. He was also a team gold medallist at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Great Britain's Pippa Funnell on Primmore's Pride during the Cross Country at the Burghley Horse Trials, Stamford. (Image credit: PA Archive/PA Images)

2000 was a vintage year for Le Lion. Not only did the six-year-old class launch Galan De Sauvagere’s career, but Primmore’s Pride won the seven-year-old class. With Pippa Funnell, he went on to win Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley — the only horse to achieve a career grand slam in the roads and tracks and steeplechase days — and take a team silver and individual bronze at the 2004 Olympics.

E53H01 Aachen, Germany. 19th July, 2014. Swedish rider Niklas Lindbaeck on his horse Mister Pooh in action during the cross-country discipline of the eventing event of the CHIO in Aachen, Germany, 19 July 2014. Photo: ROLF VENNENBERND/DPA/Alamy Live News (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Mister Pooh, the 2006 six-year-old Le Lion winner, was a perennial championship campaigner for Sweden with Niklas Lindbäck. He ran at the 2009 Fontainebleau Europeans, the 2010 WEG in Kentucky, the 2012 London Olympics and crowned his career with team silver at the 2013 Malmö Europeans. He was also fifth at Badminton 2011. It’s worth noting, too, that the runner-up to him at Le Lion was none other than the double Olympic champion La Biosthetique-Sam FBW, who was also second in the seven-year-old championship a year later.

Sara ALGOTSSON OSTHOLT (SWE) riding REALITY 39 during the cross country phase of the FEI European Championships at Strzegom in Poland between 15 - 20th August 2017 (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Sara Algotsson-Ostholt’s Mrs Medicott — later renamed Reality 39 — took Le Lion’s six-year-old class in 2010. She too was a great championship horse for Sweden, with team silvers at the Europeans at Malmo (2013) and Strzegom (2017) and runs at the Blair European Championships in 2015 and the Rio Olympics in 2016.

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France’s Nicolas Touzaint piloted Hildago De L’Ile to take the seven-year-old title at Le Lion in 2002. The pair went on to win the first Pau CCI4* (now CCI5*) in 2007 and Badminton 2008. He collected team silver at the Blenheim Europeans in 2005 and contested the 2006 WEG and the 2012 Olympics.

Full report from this year’s Le Lion in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine (dated 22 October).

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 to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

European Eventing Championships blog: can Michael Jung set a new record?

Pippa Roome — Sun, 01 Sep 2013 10:29:29 +0000

Has anyone else ever been as dominant in eventing as Michael Jung is now? Thus far, he’s won 3 individual gold medals and he looks almost certain to gather in a 4th today at the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships in Malmö, Sweden.

The only person I can think of through history whose strength was similar was Ginny Elliot, who was European champion in 1985 (Priceless), 1987 (Night Cap) and 1989 (Master Craftsman). She also won the Gawler World Championships in 1986 (Priceless) and the alternative worlds laid on at Bialy Bor because many nations couldn’t travel to Australia (Night Cap). As an aside, she proved her incredible horsepower by winning Burghley that autumn too on Murphy Himself.

Ginny is the only other person in the history of the sport who has won 3 individual golds in a row — the fact no one else has held the world, European and Olympic titles simultaneously until Michael speaks for itself. If Michael wins tomorrow, he becomes the first eventer to extend that run of individual golds to 4.

William Fox-Pitt’s missing honour

Championships are funny things, sport is a funny thing. So while some riders win individual gold after gold, others are fantastically successful without winning one at all.

More than any other rider in the decade I’ve been an equestrian journalist (today’s the anniversary), William Fox-Pitt has consistently had a fabulous team of horses and shown unrelenting good form. He’s won more than 50 three-day events, a record which no one else comes close to equalling.

Missing from William’s amazing record is, of course, an individual gold medal. How I’d love him to fill that gap before he retires, whenever that might be — to set the record straight, if you like. If he never puts his name on the European, world or Olympic roll of honour it will be an omission that just feels wrong.

I don’t think he’s going to pick up that shiniest of gongs today. Michael Jung has to have 3 fences down to give William victory — assuming he and Chilli Morning go clear — and I don’t see that happening. But that’s a prediction I’d be more than happy to have proved wrong.

Report on yesterday’s cross-country action

Log back on later for a final update from the European Championships and don’t miss next week’s H&H for our full 10-page special report, including full analysis and comments from ground jury member Christian Landolt, British team rider Tina Cook and former European champion Ian Stark.

Nicolas Touzaint to lead French eventing team at London Olympics

Pippa Roome — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 10:08:31 +0000

The French eventing team for the London Olympics has been named as:

Nicolas Touzaint (pictured) on Hildago De L’Ile or Neptune De Sart ¨ne
Donatien Schauly on Ocarina Du Chanois or Pivoine Des Touches
Lionel Guyon on Nemetis De Lalou
Aur ©lien Kahn on Cadiz
Denis Mesples on Oregon De La Vigne

Nicolas Touzaint signs up for Express Eventing competition

Pippa Roome — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:23:52 +0000

European champion Nicolas Touzaint (pictured) is among the latest riders to sign up for Express Eventing.

France’s leading eventer is one of four more stars to confirm their attendance at the new competition at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on 30 November.

The others are Germany’s former European champion Bettina Hoy, Sweden’s double World Cup winner Linda Algotsson and America’s Buck Davidson.

Twenty eventers have now signed up for the event, the expected number of competitors, although Express Eventing’s Helen Barklam said today that organisers are still speaking to a few more riders.

Full list of riders for Express Eventing

Express Eventing website

Ticket details and programme

Galan De Sauvagere is withdrawn from Olympic eventing competition

Horse & Hound — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:58:30 +0000

NICOLAS Touzaint has been forced to withdraw Galan De Sauvagere from the Olympic three-day event in Hong Kong. In a second blow to the French squad, already depleted by the loss of Jean Teulere’s injured Espoir De La Mare, the announcement was made as the European Champions were due to enter the arena at 9.23pm local time.

The horse had fallen over in his loose box on Friday morning during a thunder storm and damaged his stifle, an injury which had worsened as Nicholas tried to work him in prior to his test.

“I find it difficult to believe,” said Nicolas. “Yesterday we had doubts about him which were confirmed this morning. We gave it another try tonight, but his condition had worsened and we had to give up.”

Lucinda Fredericks has maintained her lead following the second dressage session, held under floodlights and in front of a near capacity 18,000 crowd. Husband Clayton, however, is now in fifth place having relinquished his second spot to Belgium individuals Karin Donckers and Gazelle De La Brasserie, who brought the second session of dressage to a close.

Australia’s Megan Jones and her home-bred Irish Jester, who scored 35.4, are lying in third place, with US rider Becky Holder and Courageous Comet in fourth on 35.7. Germany’s dental surgeon Hinrich Romeike has also entered the reckoning and is lying sixth with Marius.

Tina Cook and Miners Frolic boosted British morale with a score of 40.2 which is good enough for eighth place at this stage.

“He’s only 10, he’s never been in an atmosphere like this and he’s done his best ever test so I couldn’t be more pleased,” said a delighted Tina.

A protestor tried to disrupt the proceedings for the second time during the competition when Chinese rider Alex Hua Tian was in the ring. The demonstrator, Leung Kwok-Heung, a well-known activist, waved a banner which stated ‘Freedom for China, no dictatorship’. The on-site security forces acted efficiently, as they had during the protest during the morning session and quickly ejected Mr Leung.

After three riders Australia has increased its lead in the team standings and is lying first with 102.8 penalties. The USA is in second on 121.5 penalties, followed by Germany, Sweden and the UK with 142.1.

Stay in touch with all the Olympic news as it happens on HorseandHound.co.uk and don’t miss H&H’s full report from the Olympic eventing in Hong Kong — on sale Friday 15 August.

Nicolas Touzaint and Hildago De L’Ile win Badminton Horse Trials

Pippa Roome — Sun, 04 May 2008 15:29:26 +0000

Nicolas Touzaint (pictured) became the first French rider to win the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials this afternoon.

The reigning European champion went into the ring with a fence in hand, which he used up when he had a long stride to the double at number seven and Hildago De L’Ile could not clear the second part. But Nicolas coaxed the 13-year-old bay gelding over the remaining fences to take the title.

“Badminton was always a dream for me and even today I couldn’t imagine I could win it — that’s always been for others,” said Nicolas, who attributed the improvement in Hildago De L’Ile’s show jumping since his expensive round at Fontainebleau to changing his bit from a double bridle to a pelham.

Lucy Wiegersma was best British rider, holding onto second spot with Shaabrak. She rode the round of her life, just lowering the second fence to finish only 0.4 of a penalty behind Nicolas.

Lucy thanks her three-pronged team in the show jumping collecting ring, Peter Murphy, Yogi Breisner and Caroline Creighton, who has trained her since she was eight. She also said her father Hendrik had had lots of advice for her.

Badminton final scores

“The last thing he said before I went into the ring was, ‘Remember you’re a Cornish bird and ride like a Cornish show jumper’,” laughed Lucy.

William Fox-Pitt’s rollercoaster weekend ended on a good note when he moved up to third with one fence down on Ballincoola.

Polly Stockton was the one of the big losers of the final phase shake-up when Tom Quigley lowered three fences and had a time-penalty to drop from overnight third to sixth.

New Zealand’s Caroline Powell (Lenamore) and Britain’s Sharon Hunt (Tankers Town) jumped the only clear rounds of the afternoon session — Mary King managed one this morning with Imperial Cavalier — to move up to fourth and fifth.

FINAL RESULTS

1. Hildago De L’Ile (Nicolas Touzaint, FRA) 48.4

2. Shaabrak (Lucy Wiegersma, GBR) 49.8

3. Ballincoola (William Fox-Pitt, GBR) 52.1

4. Lenamore (Caroline Powell, GBR) 52.8

5. Tankers Town (Sharon Hunt, GBR) 54.9

6. Tom Quigley (Polly Stockton, GBR) 59.7

Final results

Don’t forget to buy H&H next Thursday (8 May) for a 16 page report, stunning colour photography and comments from Carl Hester, Ginny Elliot and William Fox-Pitt.

Badminton Horse Trials blog: first-timers and France’s first winner?

Pippa Roome — Sun, 04 May 2008 12:49:25 +0000

“Are you shaking?” asked Emily Galbraith of Charlotte Agnew as they met in the collecting ring half an hour ago.

Both of them had just completed their first Badminton, with a cross-country stop apiece and a few show jumps down, but this was still a massive achievement for these two 20-year-olds. This is what it’s all about for me at Badminton — the excitement doesn’t just come from watching the top few, although I’ll certainly be on the edge of my seat this afternoon, but also from seeing up-and-coming combinations who I’ve watched come up through the levels.

Emily and Charlotte were on the young rider team which won a gold medal at Blair last year, along with fellow Badminton first-timer Georgie Spence. Watching these three go cross-country was one of the highlights of yesterday for me. It’s a cliché, but they all rode with maturity beyond their years.

Georgie, 19, recorded a clear round with Running Brook II and currently lies in 16th place. She will jump this afternoon and has a good chance of taking home the saddle for the best performance by a British rider who is aged under-25, has not worn senior team colours or won the saddle before.

Having thought I was a useless tipster after the dressage — I chose Nicolas Touzaint (Hildago De L’Ile), William Fox-Pitt (Tamarillo) and Mary King (Imperial Cavalier) while talking on Radio Badminton on Thursday — there was a moment yesterday afternoon when I thought I might have named the first three after cross-country.

Badminton final scores

But then, to gasps in the press tent, the formbook was ripped up as Mary and William both had well-documented errors. Nicolas Touzaint is still in the hot seat and could become the first Frenchman to win the event — the 27-year-old would be a rider worthy of making history in such a way.

But William is still in with a chance of winning on second ride Ballincoola, and no one should discount Lucy Wiegersma (Shaabrak) or Polly Stockton (Tom Quigley), who are poised behind Nicolas. All four are within a fence, and Hildago De L’Ile does not have the best record in this phase.

I saw him lower two show jumps when he won Pau last autumn — to the horror of the French crowd, who got the result they wanted nevertheless — and wouldn’t bet against the same happening again. But on that occasion, having had two down early on, Nicolas showed all his class to get the horse to clear the rest of the fences. Who knows what’ll happen this time if he goes in without a fence in hand? And who can put the pressure on him? It’s pouring with rain here, so perhaps Polly Stockton, who hunts regularly, will have the edge.

Log back onto www.horseandhound.co.uk later for a final Badminton report and don’t forget to buy H&H next Thursday (8 May) for a 16 page report, with comments from Carl Hester, Ginny Elliot and William Fox-Pitt.

Nicolas Touzaint leads Badminton Horse Trials cross-country

Pippa Roome — Sat, 03 May 2008 16:48:47 +0000

Nicolas Touzaint (pictured) is in line to become the first Frenchman to win the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials after finishing the cross-country day in top spot.

Nicolas took the lead after adding just 4.8 time-penalties to his dressage score with last year’s Pau winner Hildago De L’Ile.

“I saw the other riders go, but I stuck to my ideas and it went more or less as planned,” said Nicolas. “My horse needed to breathe in the eighth minute, I just steadied his canter and he finished in good shape and was jumping well.”

At the end of the afternoon all eyes were on Mary King and William Fox-Pitt, who could have edged ahead of Nicolas had they gone clear and near the optimum time. But both had expensive blunders at the end of the course.

First Mary fell off when Imperial Cavalier left a leg on the second angled log of the Rolex Crossing, the penultimate fence. So British hopes were pinned on final rider William Fox-Pitt, who looked like he could get near the time as he approached The Lancer Village, fences 23, 24 and 25. But William and Tamarillo took a flyer over the first house and ran past the second.

Badminton final scores

William still has early ride Ballincoola in fourth place, and Brits hold second and third places too. Lucy Wiegersma played it safe with a couple of long routes on Shaabrak and added 8.4 time-penalties, but is still just 1.4 penalties behind Nicolas Touzaint.

She explained: “My plan A was not to take any long routes, but I had a hairy moment into the sunken road [the Blue Cross Roundtops at fence 12]. My plan was to get a deep round jump at the first element, but as he took off he was a bit too deep and left a leg or two — I’m not sure how many, I was just trying to stay on — and I ended up having to take the long route at the D element.

“Then at the Colt Pond I felt I’d have to strangle him to get to the straight route out and I had in my mind that we’d made a serious jumping mistake two fences before, so my instinct told me to go round. I was 40sec down coming out of the Vicarage Ditch area, but he’s very fit and very quality and made up 20sec coming home.”

Polly Stockton held the lead for much of the day with her early clear inside the time and ends the phase in third with Tom Quigley. The only other rider inside the time was Georgie Davies, who is fifth with Fachoudette.

There were shocks too in the middle of the day, when both the first two horses after dressage fell. First phase leader Moon Fleet was too far off the brush corner in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook’s Huntsman’s Close, paddled through it and fell on landing with Andrew Hoy.

Ruth Edge and Muschamp Impala, second after dressage, both got a ducking when the horse left both front legs on the wave into The Lake and fell.

Matthew Wright went well in the early part of the course with If You Want II, fourth after dressage, but the horse seemed to run out of energy in the tacky going and Matthew pulled up at The Lancer Village.

British first-timer Dee Kennedy was taken to Frenchay Hospital for a check up after falling off when Big El ballooned into The Horse Deals Quarry.

RESULTS AFTER CROSS-COUNTRY

1. Hildago De L’Ile (Nicolas Touzaint, FRA) 44.4

2. Shaabrak (Lucy Wiegersma, GBR) 45.8

3. Tom Quigley (Polly Stockton, GBR) 46.7

4. Ballincoola (William Fox-Pitt, GBR) 48.1

5. Fachoudette (Georgie Davies, GBR) 49.6

6. Coup De Coeur (Oliver Townend, GBR) 49.6

Live scoreboard

Keep up to date with twice daily reports from Badminton on www.horseandhound.co.uk and don’t forget to buy H&H next Thursday (8 May) for a 16 page report, with comments from Carl Hester, Ginny Elliot and William Fox-Pitt.

Nicolas Touzaint wins at Pau Horse Trials

Pippa Roome — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 15:25:51 +0000

Nicolas Touzaint (pictured) won the inaugural four-star at Pau, France, today, but it was closer than anybody anticipated.

The Frenchman had two fences in hand going into the ring, and used both up early on. But he coaxed Hildago De L’Ile clear over the remaining fences to win by just 0.6 of a penalty.

Overnight runner-up Andrew Nicholson notched up 20 penalties with the mare Ginger May Killinghurst, leaving the way open for Mary King to move up to second.

Mary finished on her dressage score on Imperial Cavalier, whom she has had for only a few months.

Pippa Funnell had just one down to retain third place on Ensign.

View the results >>

Don’t forget to buy Horse & Hound next week (1 November) for a full report from Pau, colour photographs and Mark Phillips’s column.

Click here to read a report of yesterday’s cross-country.

Click here to read a report of Friday’s dressage.

FINAL RESULTS

1. Hildago De L’Ile (Nicolas Touzaint, FRA) 50.4

2. Imperial Cavalier (Mary King, GB) 51

3. Ensign (Pippa Funnell, GB) 53.6

4. Lorgaine (Niall Griffin, IRL) 59.4

5. Inonothing (Paul Tapner, FRA) 61.2

6. Ginger May Killinghurst (Andrew Nicholson, NZL) 66.6

Nicolas Touzaint takes the lead at Pau

Pippa Roome — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 16:41:24 +0000

European Champion Nicolas Touzaint (pictured) has taken the lead in the four-star at Pau, France, after going clear inside the time across country.

Nicolas’s penalty-free round with Hildago De L’Ile moved him from third after dressage into pole position.

“I knew the horse had it in him to do a four-star, but he is big striding and has been a little on the forehand, which has caused problems coming into combinations,” said Nicolas. “We’ve solved that with bitting and getting him listening to me more.”

Britain’s Pippa Funnell added just eight time-penalties during a determined round on Ensign, but they were enough to drop the dressage leader to third place going into tomorrow’s show jumping.

Pippa had to take one long route — at fences 14 and 15, a double of angled trakehners to a corner, where she thought she wouldn’t be able to make the turn to the corner, so went to the alternative third element.

Matt Ryan, second after dressage with Bonza Puzzle, was one of a number of riders to miss the fish in the first water, which followed a tight turn from the log in.

Andrew Nicholson was one of the best through here with the mare Ginger May Killinghurst, and his clear round inside the time was rewarded with second place overnight.

Don’t miss Horse & Hound next Thursday (1 November) for a full report from Pau.

Click here to read a report of the dressage at Pau yesterday.

RESULTS AFTER CROSS-COUNTRY

1. Hildago De L’Ile (Nicolas Touzaint, FRA) 42.4

2. Ginger May Killinghurst (Andrew Nicholson, NZL) 46.6

3. Ensign (Pippa Funnell, GBR) 49.6

4. Imperial Cavalier (Mary King, GBR) 51

5. Lorgaine (Niall Griffin, IRL) 59.4

6. Inonothing (Paul Tapner, AUS) 61.2

Lucinda Green rides Nicolas Touzaint’s Galan De Sauvag

Horse & Hound — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:13:02 +0000

Britain retains European eventing championship title

Horse & Hound — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 17:29:58 +0000

Britain’s eventers easily won their seventh consecutive team gold medal at the European Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy, but Zara Phillips’s perfect championship record went bust when Toytown stopped in the show jumping.

The defending World and European champion was clear until fence nine, a seemingly innocuous parallel, where he just didn’t get the four strides from the fence before and most uncharacteristically put on the brakes. He jumped it next time but again knocked it down, and had one more down to put himself out of the medals.

Dropping to sixth, Zara left the ring in tears — the fact that she has still gained her Olympic qualification for next year must seem scant consolation.

“It didn’t go right for me, but I’m really happy for the team and for Mary,” she said later.

Nicolas Touzaint (pictured), the overnight leader, jumped a beautiful clear to take the individual title for the second time on Galan De Sauvagere. This great horse, who won at Punchestown in 2003 and so nearly became Olympic champion in Athens the following year, richly deserves to be European champion again with his 27-year-old rider.

Mary King was also clear and rose from fourth to take the silver medal on Call Again Cavalier. At 46, and with two children, many riders’ careers would be over. Mary’s is as strong as it has been for the past two decades.

And Germany’s Bettina Hoy, who has missed out so often, won bronze after having one show jump down on Ringwood Cockatoo.

The two French individual riders, former World champion Jean Teulere and Cedric Lyard, followed in fourth and fifth. Zara was sixth, one place ahead of Britain’s Daisy Dick, who knocked two fences down on Spring Along.

Britain went in to the final day virtually assured of gold. When Hinrich Romeike’s horse was withdrawn with a chipped stifle, the German team were out, so Britain started with 22 fences in hand over the French. Oliver Townend and Flint Curtis jumped a good round with one down, but even finishing in 12th place, he was the discard score.

The French picked up silver and have qualified for Hong Kong, and so did the delighted Italians, who won bronze. This was secured by an eight-fault round from Vittoria Panizzon on Rock Model, and the supportive Italian crowd went wild.

The Belgians were unlucky to miss out — they have performed well all week, and Joris Van Springel jumped clear today on Bold Action for ninth place individually.

Britain’s individual riders, Georgie Davies and Rodney Powell, and one and two fences down respectively and finished 28th and 40th.

Final results

1. Nicolas Touzaint (FRA) 29.4

2. Mary King (GB) 41.3

3. Bettina Hoy (GER) 42.3

4. Jean Teulere (FRA) 49.7

5. Cedric Lyard (FRA) 51.1

6. Zara Phillips (GB) 51.6

7. Daisy Dick (GB) 53.1

8. Vittoria Panizzon (ITA) 60.3

9. Joris Van Springel (BEL) 67.1

10. Ingrid Klimke (GER) 68.7

Team results

1. Great Britain

2. France

3. Italy

4. Belgium

5. Denmark

6. Switzerland

European eventing championships: cross-country

Catherine Austen — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 17:14:04 +0000

Great Britain leapfrogged over Germany to take the lead after cross-country at the European Eventing Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy.

Second after dressage, the Brits put up a typically strong cross-country performance. Three British team members — Zara Phillips, Mary King and Daisy Dick — jumping fast clears to shoot them 64 points ahead of Germany. This means they have a strong chance of retaining team gold for the seventh successive time.

Zara Phillips also has a chance of keeping her European title. She is currently lying second individually on a score of 32.6, just behind France’s Nicolas Touzaint. Nicolas was the only rider to go inside the time across country and stays on his 29.4 dressage mark. Bettina Hoy, first after dressage for Germany, rode a great round on Ringwood Cockatoo, but 11.2 time-faults have dropped them to third.

And two other British riders must think they have a chance of a medal — Mary King is fourth on Call Again Cavalier and Daisy Dick is fifth on Spring Along.

Daisy was first to go for the Brits, and was sent the long route at fence nine, three huge, narrow flower boxes. But she was one of very few riders to go straight at Pratoni’s famous “slide” at fence 11 — a log drop down a steep slope to two impossibly skinny “bullseye” targets — which Ingrid Klimke, fourth for Germany after dressage, had fallen foul of.

Daisy only got 2.8 time-faults, so all five other British riders took the long route at fence nine. Unfortunately Oli Townend slipped off the second “bullseye” at fence 11 on Flint Curtis, and picked up 20pen.

With this information on board, Zara Phillips took both long routes, and received 2.8 time-faults. It was a bold, galloping round from the 26-year-old, who said: “It was hard work guiding him up and down all the hills and drops here, and he was very keen early on. But he was good everywhere.”

Nicolas, last to go on Galan De Sauvagere, was brave enough to risk the straight route at fence nine, and it paid off. It was a beautiful round, and the pair deserve to be in the lead.

“He gets better and better,” said Nicolas. “We had a very smooth round.”

And Mary King’s round on Call Again Cavalier was superb, with just one sticky moment at the first water, where the bay gelding jumped in very big and landed flat-footed in the water.

“My main worry was stamina, but he was zooming along,” said Mary. “I did have a great advantage going so late in the day, but it was an awfully long time to feel sick!”

Britain’s two individuals, Georgie Davies and Rodney Powell, both picked up stops, but finished, unlike 20 of the 63 starters. High-profile casualties included Germany’s fourth-placed Frank Ostholt and Air Jordan 2, who retired after an uncharacteristic stop, and Karin Donckers, sixth after dressage for Belgium, who was technically eliminated for jumping the wrong side of a flag towards the end of the course.

France is in third in the team competition, ahead of Italy, whose best placed rider is Vittoria Panizzon, ninth on Rock Model.

Results after cross-country

1. Nicolas Touzaint (Galan De Sauvagere, FRA) 29.4

2. Zara Phillips (Toytown, GB) 32.6

3. Bettina Hoy (Ringwood Cockatoo, GER) 38.3

4. Mary King (Call Again Cavalier, GB) 41.3

5. Daisy Dick (Spring Along, GB) 45.1

6. Jean Teulere (Espoir De La Mare, FRA) 45.7

7. Hinrich Romeike (Marius Voigt-Logistik, GER) 46.9

8. Cedric Lyard (Jolly Hope De Treille, FRA) 51.1

9. Vittoria Panizzon (Rock Model, ITA) 52.3

10. Ingrid Klimke (FRH Butts Abraxxas, GER) 60.7

Team results after cross-country

1. Great Britain 119

2. Germany 183.1

3. France 208.9

4. Italy 215.7

5. Belgium 250.2

6. Denmark 250.9

Log on tomorrow for H&H’s final report and check out next Thursday’s magazine for a full report including fantastic photographs

Germany on track for Euro gold after dressage

Catherine Austen — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:42:26 +0000

The German team holds its customary gold medal position after the dressage phase of the European Eventing Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy. German individual rider Bettina Hoy tops the leaderboard.

Bettina has been left out of the team this time because she and Ringwood Cockatoo have missed several runs this summer, but her 27.1 score was the best she has had with the grey 16-year-old.

“I’m so proud of him — we were lucky even to get into the arena because he slipped over outside the stable this morning and has cuts on his bottom and hocks,” she said. “He was really on my side and trying hard.”

With three team riders in the top 10 — Ingrid Klimke is fourth on 31.5, Frank Ostholt is fifth on 33.1 and Hinrich Romeike is eighth on 37.7 — the Germans sit on 102.3, 6.3pen ahead of the British.

Zara Phillips heads Team GB in third place individually after riding a lovely test on Toytown with just one mistake early on. They earned a score of 29.8, 0.4pen behind second-placed Nicolas Touzaint, last to go for France with his stunning 2003 European champion, Galan De Sauvagere.

All Britain’s squad produced good tests. Mary King was very pleased with Call Again Cavalier, who performed a correct, elegant test for 36.5 and seventh place.

“I was concerned he would be nervous of the crowd, but he did one of his best tests,” she said.

Daisy Dick and Oliver Townend, who did their tests on Thursday, lie 12th and 14th, while Britain’s individuals, Georgie Davies and Rodney Powell, are 17th and 19th. Squad debutante Georgie was a little disappointed with Fachoudette, who started brilliantly but broke into canter in the first extended trot.

“Most of it was nice, but there were a couple of big mistakes we could have done without,” said the 24-year-old.

Rodney said: “This is only Langarth Darcy’s second three-day event with me and second CCI***, and he showed his greenness a little. But the cross-country is why we are here.”

The German team were also determined to look forward. Ingrid Klimke summed up their feelings, saying: “The dressage is history now, and we are looking forward to tomorrow.”

Nicolas Touzaint said: “There will be changes [in the order] at the end of tomorrow — there are some very difficult combinations and the time will be hard to get.”

The French team are in third place at the moment on 121.9 — as well as Nicolas, former world champion Jean Teulere is in the top 10 (9th) on Espoir De La Mare. And the Belgians are fourth — Karin Donckers was thrilled to receive a mark of 33.5 for fifth place on Gazelle De La Brasserie, and Joris Van Springel (Bold Action) is 10th.

European Eventing Championships Friday dressage results

1. Bettina Hoy (Ringwood Cockatoo, GER) 27.9

2. Nicolas Touzaint (Galan De Sauvagere, FRA) 29.4

3. Zara Phillips (Toytown, GB) 29.8

4. Ingrid Klimke (FRH Butts Abraxxas, GER) 31.5

5. Frank Ostholt (Air Jordan, GER) 33.1

6. Karin Donckers (Gazelle De La Brasserie CH, BEL) 33.5

7. Mary King (Call Again Cavalier, GB) 36.5

8. Hinrich Romeike (Marius Voigt-Logistik, GER) 37.7

9. Jean Teulere (Espoir De La Mare, FRA) 41.3

10. Joris Van Springel (Bold Action) 41.5

Teams

1. Germany 102.3

2. Great Britain 108.6

3. France 121.9

4. Belgium 127.9

5. Italy 142.3

6. Denmark 147.7

7. Switzerland 149.9

8. Ireland 158.6

Don’t miss Horse & Hound’s full report from the European Eventing Championships, including stunning photographs, in next week’s issue (20 September, ’07)

Nicolas Touzaint wins Saumur CCI***

Horse & Hound — Tue, 29 May 2007 14:41:14 +0000

Frenchman Nicolas Touzaint lead from start to finish at Saumur International Horse Trials on the Anglo Arab Tatchou. But the Brits proved a match for the home team, fielding half the top-10 finishers.

Rodney Powell and Langarth Darcy emerged as the greatest threat to the Frenchman in the final phase with a snappy double clear to finish runner-up.

Two Frenchmen, Cdric Lyard and Eric Vigeanel, finished third and fourth, ahead of Brits Lucy Wiegersma (Shaabrak, fifth and Zebedee, ninth), Emily Baldwin (Drivetime, sixth) and Francis Whittington (Sir Percival III, seventh).

Zara Phillips was well placed after dressage with Red Baron but suffered two refusals at La Banquette (23) and La Table (25) to eventually finished 30th.

Pierre-Marie Dubois headed the CIC** on Jachou Bel. The French took the top seven places, with the best of the four Brits, Louisa Lockwood, securing 10th with a double clear.

The other Brits Joanna Killin, Nick Turner and Robert Stevens all performed with credit without being placed, each with a clear cross-country and one rail down.

Read this report in full in this Thursday’s Horse & Hound (31 May, ’07)

Compi

Horse & Hound — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 11:42:41 +0000

Nicolas Touzaint gave his home crowd something to cheer about when he took the CCI** at Compigne with Joker D’ Helby, finishing on his dressage score of 40.6.

Runner-up was Belgium’ s Karin Donckers, riding SS Jett, who recovered well after a dramatic moment on the cross-country when the horse slipped and fell on a turn.

Third place went to France’s Aurelien Kahn on Lord De Lignire, while Nicolas Touzaint also took fourth place with Kopervik Corubert. Fifth was Germany’s Michael Jung with La Biosthetique-Sam.

France’s Anouck Soulier jumped her way into sixth place with Edenroz De Penvern, while fellow countrymen Franck Bourny (L’Aristo Du Lado) and Cedric Lyard (If You Want II) finished in seventh and eighth respectively.

Louisa Lockwood and The Diva were the best of the British contingent, finishing 10th, and Nick Turner was 11th with Boxter Bravo. just 0.2 penalties.

Read this report in full with photos and further analysis in the current issue of Horse & Hound (12 April, ’07)