It’s a small clutch of Kiwis heading to the FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championship for Young Horses at Mondial du Lion in France this week.

Caroline Powell riding GREENACRES SPECIAL CAVALIER File Photo

London Olympian Caroline Powell will compete in the CCIYH3*-L for seven-year-olds with her duo Greenacres Special Cavalier and Rock Midnight. Irish bred Greenacres Special Cavalier was recently second at the Burgham International in the CCI3*-S while Rock Midnight is Irish bred and also contested the Burgham class.

Samantha Lissington is entered in the CCIYH2*-L for six-year-olds aboard her New Zealand-bred mare Ricker Ridge Ricochet who placed top 10 in the CCI2*-S at Combury House in her last international start.

Samantha Lissington & Ricker Ridge Ricochet with Clarke Johstone representing Southern Lakes Tartan. Photo: Diana Dobson

Tim Price and Happy Boy won the seven-year-old crown last year. Pierre Michelet (FRA) is the cross country course designer for both classes with Jean Pierre Cosnuau (FRA) doing the honours in the showjumping.

The global COVID pandemic means there will be no spectators at the event this year. Horses in both classes will face their first inspection on Wednesday followed by two days of dressage. The winner of the seven-year-old will pocket Euro 9400 with the six-year-old victor taking home Euro 5700.

In all 19 nations will be represented at Mondial du Lion-d’Angers with a particularly strong showing by the French with the likes of Thomas Carlile and Nicolas Touzaint, but also including world and former European champion Rosalind Canter (GBR) alongside Ingrid Klimke (GER), Laura Collett (GBR) and Kitty King (GBR).

WHAT: Mondial du Lion – FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championship for Young Horses
WHERE: Parc departmental de I’lsle Briand, Le Lion d’Angers, France
WHEN: October 15-18, 2020
CLICK HERE FOR STARTLISTS & RESULTS

THE HORSE DETAILS:
Greenacres Special Cavalier – owned by Chris Mann
Rock Midnight – owned by Michelle Mann
Ricker Ridge Ricochet – owned by Sharon Honiss and Samantha Lissington

By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison