Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 Take Fourth Place at Pau
Each year, Les 5 étoiles de Pau is one of the most hotly contested events on the FEI Eventing calendar. It not only concludes the European Eventing season, but it is also one of only a handful of CCI5*-L events in the world. Due to Covid-19, only five CCI5*-L competitions were able to take place in 2021, ensuring that the world's finest riders would have their sights set on Pau, France.
This year Australia was represented at Pau by two combinations: Kevin McNab riding Scdueria 1918 and Hazel Shannon riding WillingaPark Clifford.
From a starting field of 46 combinations, both Australian combinations delivered excellent dressage tests, placing them in the top half of the competitive field.
Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend produced a beautiful harmonious test scoring 26.2, which had them sitting in 5th place following the dressage phase.
Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend in the dressage phase at Pau. Photo credit: Australian Equestrian Team / Kirsty Pasto
Hazel Shannon and WillingPark Clifford, who traveled all the way from Australia to compete at Pau, did a lovely test for the judges receiving a score of 31.2. Unfortunately, Hazel chose to withdraw from the competition on the morning of the cross-country phase when it was felt WillingaPark Clifford was 'a bit off-colour' after a terrific start in the dressage phase, with early veterinarian consultation indicating that he was not 100 percent.
"It's a frustrating situation, but Clifford's well-being is always my top priority. It's a difficult 11'50 course that requires a horse that is completely fit. It's one of those things... We've been watching him every day, and he wasn't himself just yesterday "Hazel said of the decision.
Hazel Shannon and WillingaPark Clifford started strong in the dressage phase at Pau. Photo credit: Australian Equestrian Team / Kirsty Pasto
The exciting cross-country test proved influential with Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend jumping up the leaderboard folloring thr phase to third place with a flawless performance. The combination executed a spectacular cross country run which saw them make the Pierre Michelet designed course look effortless, completing the 6740m CCI5*-L course fit and full of running coming in an impressive 12 seconds under time!
"My guy gave me a great round and he answered all the questions really well. He actually found the time quite gettable as well which I was expecting the time to ride tougher than what it did," said Kevin.
Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend delivered a flawless cross country round. Photo credit: Australian Equestrian Team / Kirsty Pasto
The final day of competition saw only 35 combinations come forward and once again saw the standings shaken, with only 5 clear rounds recorded for the day.
Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend jumped a lovely round with just one unfortunate rail falling at the final fence on course, finishing the competition in 4th place.
“He was actually quite fresh still and he was jumping well, he had a couple of lucky rails that he touched but he also jumped some super fences. The horse is good and it is a good finish for him and I think there is a lot to build on," said Kevin.
Kevin McNa and Scuderia 1918 finish in 4th place at Pau CCI5*-L. Photo credit: Australian Equestrian Team / Kirsty Pasto
Congratulations to Kevin, Harry (Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend), Scuderia 1918, Lucy Hartley (Harry's groom), team McNab and all their connections on their performance at Pau - one of only CCI5* events in the world for 2021
Full results can be found here.
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