This week, the ACEVA Association hosts its annual CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S at Lignières-en-Berry racecourse. Cross country yielded some exciting results for our North American readers in particular, while Germany’s Michael Jung stands firmly in lead with Kentucky winner fischerChipmunk FRH. Michael’s aim this weekend is to obtain the MER needed for Paris, having campaigned “Chip” lightly this season to save the 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding’s legs for the Olympics in 2024.
“He was very good! I had a very good feeling and we really adopted a good gallop,” Michael said (translated from French). “Of course, I didn’t try to [ride] it too fast because it wasn’t the goal, so we took a little time, but it really did everything I asked for. It’s a fantastic cross to ride and I had a huge pleasure in it. However, it was not necessarily an easy path, but ideal for work. It was well built and the land is good, well maintained.”
The American and Canadian representatives stepped up in a big way to secure early spots on the podium ahead of tomorrow’s conclusion. Cosby Green, who’s basing with Tim and Jonelle Price in the UK this year, delivered a clear round inside the optimum with Highly Suspicious to sit second on a score of 32.4.
Canadian rider Katie Malensek and Landjaeger also laid down a fault-free clear to head into show jumping in third position on a score of 34.5. While Michael would need to lower multiple rails to give up the victory, these two ladies have certainly given us much to be thrilled for with their strong performances Saturday. Katie’s been blogging about her time overseas here and she’s gotten me hooked on her recent updates — click here to read more.
Fellow Canadian Hanna Bundy also enjoyed a clear cross country, collecting just some time faults with Lovely Assistant, losing just a bit of ground in the standings but still sitting inside the top 12 and capable of moving up on Sunday.
