18 September 2024
WCH Le Pin 2024: All horses fit to compete
On Wednesday morning, all 79 horses have been accepted at the horse inspection of the FEI Driving World Championship for Singles in Haras du Pin (FRA). After familiarising themselves with the facilities and magnificent arenas of the Pôle International de Sports Equestres (PISE), the competitors from the 19 countries had to wait with some impatience to find out their running order and, for some, whether they would be joining their national team.Following the draw at the beginning of the afternoon, the nations have finally been informed of the order in which they will compete in the dressage of the World Championship. Luxembourg will open the competition for the 16 teams, while Canada will close the field. This is a godsend for Canadian world No. 1 Kelly Bruder, individual bronze medallist at the last World Championship held here at the Haras National du Pin in 2022, who will therefore start last and hold all the cards. France, defenders of the team title, will start in 11th position. Marion Vignaud (FRA), currently world no. 3, will be the last to start for the French team, after Clément Deschamps and Tony Ecalle, the other two drivers chosen by chef d’equipe Felix-Marie Brasseur to try and win a second gold medal in a row.
In addition to the drivers chosen to represent their countries (three per nation), thirty others are competing in this World Championship as individuals. The top ten on this list will open the dressage competition, starting with Switzerland’s Lea Spring, who will have the challenging task of being the first to perform her test in front of the judges.
After the official opening ceremony this evening, the drivers and their entourage shared some great moments of conviviality at the nations’ evening, a traditional gathering at each FEI Championship where each nation shares its culinary specialities with the other participants. The competition starts tomorrow morning at 9.00.
Click here for the starting orders and results.
Click here for the live stream.
Photo: Melanie Guillamot
