Maxime Livio covered in gold
The Sunday awakening of the French was rather pleasant. Indeed, two of the members of the British team gave up even before the second inspection of the horses. On the heels of the French team the day before, they could no longer claim a place in the team rankings. The French could breathe… but without letting go! Because the gaps were really very tight between the competitors, and the slightest fault on the show jumping test took the pair away from the podium. Sarah Bullimore (GBR) made the bitter experience: 8 faults with Reve du Rouet sent her from 4th to 23rd place, while she was eliminated with her second mount Conpierre. Same end for the young French Marie-Charlotte Fuss, victim of a mild fall on a very beautiful obstacle representing… The Normandy Bridge…!
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Wise observers noted the fantastic clear round of THE legend Mark Todd (NZL) and his little top horse McLaren. The couple, in full preparation for the World Equestrian Games in Tryon one month later, climbed from 54th place (in dressage) to 13th. There is no doubt that the six-time Olympic medallist has preserved his protégé… for a new medal?
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On the French side, this third victory in three Nations Cups this season (after Vairano/ITA and Strzegom/POL) allows France to take the overall lead. “Wehad lined up a team of experiencedriders,” explains national coach Thierry Touzaint. “I would have been disappointed not to win with this team. There were still eight teams at the start. The English and Germans have not had too much success, so much the better for us. The circuit is interesting. I’d like to see his media coverage increasing. In any case, this circuit is ideal to develop our sport.“While the next big deadline is the World Equestrian Games in Tryon (September 11-23), the French staff is still aiming for the final victory on the circuit.”We’re sending a very good team on the next venue of Millstreet (IRL). I’d like to win one more and win the circuit. The Germans have been winning for several years… If we win in Ireland, we will not be far from the truth“. Le Grand Complet was also used as the final test before the selection for the WEG squad was announced. “This year we find ourselves a bit like the WEG 2014, with young and old horses. It’s a bit of a turning point. Two years later, we only went with young riders and horses to the Olympic Games. We have a lot of young horses coming behind (for the 2020 Olympics). I see quite clearly in my selection and we will have a fairly high average age (laughs).“
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“I like the pressure”
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Winner today in teams and individual, Maxime Livio will now prepare for the WEG. “Ireally enjoyed the course proposed by the course designer on this lastevent” says the champion of the day. “I prefer when you play on fine details like that. There was no big fault, just lots of small mistakes everywhere but it doesn’t put the horses to the effort too much. The day after the cross country, I find it rather intelligent of him to have played on the quality of riding of the riders.” Maxime Livio proved again today he was a fantastic competitor. The chef d’equipe also used this by throwing it at him just before entering the track “Get us a second Marseillaise!“. Before galoping on the track, the Burgundian knew that France had a comfortable margin of error. “I didn’t have the pressure of the team because we were ahead. On the other hand I had to be clear to win the individual. These are different pressures, but I like both because as a team, we support each other.”
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What’s next for the French? First there will be the announcement of the selection by the French staff at the beginning of the week and then the preparation training course in Granville (Normandy) from 23 August. One thing is certain: the French team is pumped up!
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Final ranking: individual – team.