Young talents on show at Le Lion

The 32nd edition of the Youth World Championship is on stage at Le Lion d’Angers this weekend, with 48 riders partecipating at the event taking place on the Haras Nationaux course and competing in front of the jury chaired by Britain’s Jane Tolley.
 After the first day, Britain’s Izzy Tailor climbed top of the six-year-old ranking after shining with Hannover Monkeying Around, a horse she has been raising since she was four and with whom she has collected 37,6 points so far.
Second place was Paul Tapner on the top of Bob Chaplin, a German subject who earned points especially in the trout (9). He was referred to as ‘Perfect Bob’ by his rider because he is considered practically perfect in every way for this kind of event thanks to his temperament and rideability. So far the pair have collectd 41 points.
Another British standard-bearer placed at third place: it is Sarah Bullimore riding Corouet, a sorrel from the Oldenburg studbook who collected 41 points and shares the third place with Elizabeth Power riding Irish horse DSL Entertainer.Thomas Carlile also earned a good fifth place (45 points) on top of Birmane, coming from Selle Française studbook.
The second day of dressage tests left the overall ranking unchanged: Izzy Taylor remained top of the list going into the more spectacular final cross country and showjumping.
With the seven-year-olds, it’s New Zealander James Avery with Vitali at the lead for now. The combination gathered a total of 42 penalties. Second place is in French hands with Jean Lou Bigot and Aktion de Belheme (44 penalties), while third place went to German rider Stephanie Bohe and Classic Royetta (44,2 penalties).
Home favourite Nicolas Astier, who won with the Bleus team in Rio Olympics 2016, also took part in the contest with France category’s champion Alertamalib’Or.
With such close penalties, the cross country day this morning at 10.30am will certainly change a lot in the leaderboard. Photo: James Avery con Vitali, 7 years Mondial du Lion young horses eventing 2017 press release Mondial du Lion