Christopher Burton wins CCI 4*L of Saumur Complet with Polystar I
© Les Garennes
From the beginning to the end! For the fourth time (after his 2012, 2016 and 2018 victories, Australia’s Christopher Burton wins CCI 4*L of Saumur Complet, after having dominated the dressage and the cross-country tests, and followed by a flawless show jumping round. Polystar I has now successfully filled the qualifying conditions for the Olympic Games of Tokyo.
Burton placed above two Tricolores: local Jean Lou Bigot on Utrillo du Halage and Christopher Six, who was riding Totem de Brecey, who both cam second and third respectively. Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold landed in final sixth position after receving 8 penalty points in the show jumping. Victor Levecque and RNH MC Ustinov received fourth place, after 4 penalty points in the show jumping.
Christopher Burton, winner of the CCI 4*L of Saumur Complet 2019:
“It’s incredible. It’s a very special feeling, especially since Saumur is such an endearing site. Whatever may have happened here today, I would have kept exceptional memories of Saumur. I love coming here and when I arrived on Tuesday, I had a large smile on my lips. The horse was exceptional today: I can’t believe that I am paid to ride such an extraordinary horse! He is now qualified for Tokyo, so we’ve now got to think about the preparation process and where to go on from here.”
Reaction of Jean Lou Bigot, second of the CCI 4*L of Saumur Complet 2019, best French rider:
“The horse was ready, it was an important goal of his season. I was working on his fitness since the beginning of the year for this CCI 4*L. The main quality of this horse is his canter. He knows how to be fast on the cross-country course. His weakest point, which remains to improve, would be the dressage. But it is continuously progressing with each competition we go to. I have had Utrillo in my stable since he was five. Nicolas Touzaint gave me some valuable advice on training, which helped me a lot and made me realise that it’s important to take our time and not rush through the stages too much.”
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Source: Event press release
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