October 24, 2020 
If you thought for a minute that the year’s only CCI5*-L might be a bit “softer” than average, what with COVID, travel restrictions, the lack of prep events (for all of those reasons and THEN crap weather in Britain), well you’d be wrong.
The 30th edition of Les 5 Etoiles de Pau is proving magnificent, and not just because it’s the only one this year.
After two days of record-breaking dressage scores (think well under 30’s) by some of the very top names in the world of three-day eventing (Piggy March, Tim and Jonelle Price, Tom McEwen, Ros Canter and Oliver Townend to name a few) it was Britain’s Laura Collett with London 52 who put down a fluid, forward, fabulous test to jump into the lead with a score of 78.70% (which converts to 21.3 penalties). And in the sheeting rain no less.
Collett and London 52 won the CCI4*-L at Boekelo to cap off their 2019 season, but this marks his debut at the 5* level. Heading into Saturday’s cross-country, the top three were Collett, followed by Australia’s Chris Burton with Graf Liberty (22.0) and Britain’s Piggy March with Brookfield Inocent (22.2).
Saturday’s cross-country proved to be right up to five-star standard. The Pierre Michelet designed track is set within the park and racetrack at Domain de Sers, in the heart of the city. As the ground is naturally flat, the course makes very good use of man-made hills and mounds to create truly undulating terrain, perfect at zapping the energy and scope from even the most experienced pairs.
Fortunately the weather was PERFECT, the footing was almost perfect, and the course was tough but fair—forcing bravery and brilliance from the best, but not resulting in any horrific falls or accidents. (Because seriously, 2020.)
Of the 45 competitors to start, ten completed the 45 jumping efforts along the 6.3km course without penalty and within the 11.08 minutes time allowed. Collett and London 52 brought it home with a mere second to spare to hold onto the lead, followed closely in second position, by 2019 Badminton winner Piggy March riding Brookfield Inocent (also making a 5* debut.)
Chris Burton who had been sitting in third, had an unfortunate early runout on course with Graf Liberty, adding 20 penalties and likely dropping them out of the money.
New Zealand’s Tim Price, last to go with his third ride of the day (Wesko) was able to slip up into third with their clean round. Between Tim and Jonelle, they piloted five rounds today, with Wesko adding just 0.4 time faults to his dressage score to sit on 23.4.
“Piggy made it look easy,” remarked Collett, “but for the first time at the level, London answered every question and really showed me what he’s made of. You can underestimate just how BIG the fences ride here—they are truly massive.”
If there’s one additional takeaway from this weekend, it’s the incredible depth of the British eventing program and their ability to field 5* riders like, well, candy. At the moment, seven of the top ten placings are Brits, with another dozen or more (counting second horses, because FIVE STAR *insert eye-roll emoji*) scattered among the rest of the scoreboard.
Tomorrow (Sunday) means those still left in the hunt will have to navigate the third horse inspection, followed by the final phase stadium jumping. Currently the top five placings are within one rail of one another. Nobody can afford a rail.
