It’s not often you see Michael Jung knocked off the top spot at a four-star event, but he had to settle for runner up in the CCI4* at Pau, France, after a costly showjumping performance.
Michael had held first place after cross-country day with FischerRocana FST, but two fences down in the showjumping relegated the 11-year-old mare to third, behind Jung’s other ride, FischerTakinou, who finished second with one fence down.
A clear round for France’s Maxime Livio in the showjumping moved him to the top spot, giving the rider his first four-star win. Riding Qalao Des Mers, Maxime finished on his dressage score of 45.3pen.
“I’ve finished second at this level before, so finally to win is very special,” said Livio. “I’ve had a marvellous time at Pau – the ground was well prepared, the courses were great and my horse performed well.”
Jung, however, was customarily philosophical about missing out on what would have been his Pau win. “It is always disappointing to have a fence down, but I am happy with both my horses,” he said.
Nicola Wilson was best of the Brits in fourth place with One Two Many, and she also finished in eighth with Annie Clover. Four-star first-timer and fellow Brit Alexander Bragg finished fifth on Zagreb.
Results
1 Maxime Livio/Qalao des Mers (FRA) 45.3 + 0 + 0 = 45.3
2 Michael Jung/FischerTakinou (GER) 39.3 + 8.8 + 4 = 52.1
3 Michael Jung/FischerRocana FST (GER) 43.8 + 0.4 + 8 = 52.2
4 Nicola Wilson/One Two Many (GBR) 43.6 + 2.8 + 8 = 54.4
5 Alexander Bragg/Zagreb (GBR) 43.0 + 12.4 + 0 = 55.4
6 Camilla Speirs/Portersize Just A Jiff (IRL) 54.1 + 1.6 + 0 = 55.7
7 Jock Paget/Clifton Signature (NZL) 44.0 + 4.0 + 8 = 56.0
8 Nicola Wilson/Annie Clover (GBR) 54.1 + 2 + 0 = 56.1
9 Tina Cook/Billy The Red (GBR) 48.7 + 3.6 + 4 = 56.3
10 Karim Florent Laghouag/Punch De L’Esques (FRA) 55.7 + 0.8 + 0 = 56.5
Pau is the first leg of the FEI Classics Eventing series. Watch on H&C (Sky 253) on Tuesday 25 October at 9pm. Don’t have Sky? Click here.