In a surprise turn of events, France’s Astier Nicolas has won his first four-star event on home turf in the opening leg of the FEI Classics 2015/2016 at Les 4 Etoiles de Pau.
Teenage first-timer
Michael Jung was second with FischerRocana, while teenage first-timer Emily King was third riding Brookleigh.
It looked like European and Olympic champion was a dead cert to win yet another title, as he took first and second place following the dressage – a position he maintained after producing two great clears on the cross-country.
However, Michael withdrew his 2013 European champion Halunke FBW, at the final horse inspection. This meant FischerRocana FST moved into first place, but he couldn’t afford a single pole in the showjumping.
Tight at the top
It was incredibly tight at the top of the leaderboard, with Emily King 2.9pen behind the German rider and just 0.2pen between her and Astier in third place.
It was the first CCI4* for the 19-year-old, who was a member of Britain’s gold medal-winning Young Rider team this year.
“I’ve been to Pau lots of times with mum [Mary King] and have dreamed of riding here,” said Emily. “It’s such a lovely, friendly event and I feel very lucky to be here.”
Costly poles
Astier rode a great clear on Piaf de B’neville in the final phase, which piled the pressure on the top two riders.
Emily has been training with Ben Maher, and she rode a confident round but had one costly fence down.
Even the European and Olympic champion couldn’t keep all the poles up, and FischerRocana hit the third fence, which saw him to slip to second place by just 0.9pen.
New Zealand’s Tim Price rose from fourth to third place after jumping clear with Wesko.
‘Very special’
Astier is the first French rider to win the CCI4* at Pau since Nicolas Touzaint in 2007. To make his triumph even sweeter the 26-year-old is from Pau.
“I wasn’t at all nervous because I had two riders in front of me and didn’t think I would win,” said Nicolas. “It’s very special to win my first CCI4* in France.”
Watch highlights from Pau at the following times.