Pau Promises much for Kiwi Eventers

Four Kiwi eventers are heading to Les 5 Etoiles de Pau in France for the final CCI5* of the European season. Tim and Jonelle Price have a very busy event ahead of them, with six horses between them while Tokyo Olympian Jesse Campbell and Abigail Long have one apiece.

World no. 6, Tim Price lines up with Happy Boy, Jarillo and 5* debutant Global Quest. “They are all feeling very fit and ready,” says Tim, who won the 5* at Pau in 2021 aboard Falco. “Pau is always a great event and I am looking forward to it.”

Jonelle is in on her Paris Games mount Hiarado, who was seventh at Pau in 2023, along with Grappa Nera a previous winner at Pau (2022) and who was sixth at Badminton last year, and Senor Crocodillo who placed 13th on debut in Luhmuhlen this year.

“It will be a bit chaotic with six horses, four staff, the kids coming for the weekend and about 20 owners and a vet and farrier . . . along with everything that goes with it. I will try and keep that chaos at bay and focus on the three horses,” says Jonelle, who placed ninth in the Maryland 5* earlier this week.

She’s looking forward to seeing what her trio can do in what she expects to be a very competitive field. “You are going to have to post a good result to come out on top of that leaderboard I would think.” All three horses have had a good preparation with “a little bit of experience” under their belts. “If they all go to their capabilities and I can do my job and be at my best, I would like to think we would certainly be in the mix.”

It’s exciting times for 5* debutants Abigail Long and Henton Audacious. “The nerves are starting to creep in but I am just focusing on one day at a time,” she said. “We decided on Pau because it fits in nicely at the end of the season and a lot of people agree it is a good one to go to as your first one.”

The New Zealand Hanoverian mare is feeling tip top too. “She is feeling the best she has ever felt and is definitely the fittest she has ever been. My main goal is to complete and head home with a happy, healthy pony and anything else would be a bonus. Of course we would like to get that sub-30 double clear . . . I know she is capable of that but for our first one I think it is about getting a feel for it, going out and putting our best performance in each phase.”

Jesse Campbell has entered aboard his 13-year-old Irish sport horse Cooley Lafitte who was re-routed to Pau after retiring at Burghley.

Jonelle Price rides Grappa Nera during the Prizegiving for the CCI5*. Final-1st. 2022 FRA-5 Etoiles de Pau. Pau, France. Sunday 30 October. Copyright Photo: Libby Law Photography

Pau has attracted 69 combinations from 11 countries. The event kicks off with the first horse inspection on Thursday morning (French time) followed by dressage Thursday and Friday, the Pierre Michelet (FRA) designed cross country on Saturday and the Yann Royant (FRA) designed showjumping on Sunday. With a prize pool of €150,000 and €50,000 to the winner, there is plenty play for.

Pau is one of just seven CCI5* events in the world – the highest rank of competition in eventing.

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By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison
Photos by Libby Law/ESNZ