Last Thursday, international rider Emile Faurie set out to make his mark representing Great Britain at the Vidauban CDI3* (26 Feb-9 Mar). And boy did he.
On Thursday (27 Feb) Emile and his Danish partner, ten year old Bohemo Tinto, took to the stage for the Prix St Georges. Owned by Louise Hart and Robbie Carpenter, Vidauban marked the first international competition for the gelding, which made his score of 68.13% - placing the duo fourth - just that bit more impressive.
Moving on from their appearance at Olympia, Emile and Julie Bradley’s 14-year old gelding, Topolino II, gathered their experience gained from the World Cup qualifier for Saturday’s (1 Mar) Grand Prix test. Emile and his Swedish partner gained a solid 68.56%, placing them at the top of the leaderboard! Qualifying through to the Grand Prix Special on the Sunday (2 Mar) - and fighting gale force winds - Emile and Topolino II notched up a strong score of 66.69%, also placing them fourth.
Speaking from France on his Facebook, Emile exclaimed his delight “Despite the horrendous weather conditions we are having a superb start in Vidauban France. Tinto gave a brilliant performance in his first ever international PSG coming 4th and then Julie Bradley's Topolino and I won the Grand Prix! With the gale force winds and flags nearly being ripped from their posts I was over the moon with the performances! Great start, delighted.”
Emile, Topolino II and Bohemo Tinto will continue competing this week for week two of Vidauban CDI3*, for more information, times and results, click here.
Photo courtesy of Emile Faurie’s Facebook.