Pressrelease CCI 4* Pau – Young French rider Maxime Livio wins the 26th edition of the Pau CCI**** competition and his first major four-star eventing title. History repeated itself as, just like in 2015, Olympic medallist Michael Jung once again failed to add the Pau title to his list of victories, nonetheless finishing second and third with his two horses.

This Sunday afternoon, the elite of the eventing discipline had to be able to cope with the pressure to give a flawless performance in the main arena at the Domaine de Sers in the show jumping competition. An impressive circuit including 13 jumps and 16 difficulties (1.30 metres) with none of the obstacles really standing out in terms of technical difficulty. But the triple combination which required a specific stride line didn’t give the horses time to regain their composure, and the final strait in five short strides alongside the tribunes, spelt the demise of some riders who were aiming for the highest-ranking places.

2nd in the provisional rankings and therefore the penultimate rider to start was Maxime Livio riding Qalao des Mers. Fighting fit after yesterday’s cross-country competition both horse and rider gave an exceptional performance finishing the circuit flawlessly. Competing for the 3rd time in a CCI**** event and already having twice finished 2nd in previous editions, just one point behind the leader, he was almost resigned to fulfilling the same role this time, expecting the German competitor who had come to Pau to win, to complete the circuit impeccably and deprive him of the CCI**** title.

However, after Fisherrocana’s faults on the verticals no.10 and 12, the public immediately understood that the victory would go to the French. Just like last year for Astier Nicolas (Olympic Rio gold medallist in the team event and silver individually), the young generation came back this year to take the title in Pau, “the most beautiful 4* competition in the world, where victory is a magical experience”, says Livio. Understandably disappointed but fair-play, Michel Jung came in 2nd with Fischertakinou who knocked down one bar, but also ranked 3rd with his 11 year-old mare. A bittersweet podium for the German rider who has declared that he would “have to come back next year to win the title this time.”

British rider Nicola Wilson just missed the podium, finishing 4th after the two penalties clocked up by One Two Many. Karim Florent Laghouag, French vice-champion rider, came in 10th with his flawless show-jumping circuit on Punch de l’Esques.

Aurelien Leroy stood his ground this morning in the CIC** show jumping finals. Having completed a flawless circuit he raised his fist in triumph after clearing the last jump, winning the competition with a final score of 41.9pts, to the resounding applause of public. Congratulated by the French staff as he left the arena, he allowed himself to savour his victory after an intense period of concentration. In second place after the dressage tests and already in the lead after the cross-country course, his 9 year-old gelding Boyjoyce Chavannais has been in excellent shape over the entire weekend. Maxime Livio played his trump card in both competitions, as he finished 2nd on Tina de la Fieffe. Karim Florent Laghouag rounds off the all-French podium with Vendéen des Bois, a “highly promising” young 7 year-old gelding according to his rider.

In the meantime, the final stage of the CAIO**** the carriage-driving marathon was being fought out in the grounds. A final victory for the Netherlands and an amazing individual win for the Spanish driver Migu Gutierrez Camarillo, witnessed by the great concourse of spectators enthralled by the spectacular event.

Result CCI 4*
1. QALAO DES MERS – Maxime LIVIO (FRA) 45.3
2. FISCHERTAKINOU – Michael JUNG (GER) 52.1
3. FISCHERROCANA FST – Michael JUNG (GER) 52.2
4. ONE TWO MANY – Nicola WILSON (GBR) 54.4
5. ZAGREB – Alexander BRAGG (GBR) 55.4
6. PORTERSIZE JUST A JIFF – Camilla SPEIRS (IRL) 55.7
7. CLIFTON SIGNATURE – Jonathan PAGET (NZL) 56.0
Full Result

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Source: Pressrelease CCI 4* Pau