Mondial du Lion - 2021 - Irish Eventing Times

Crowds return to Mondial du Lion

After running behind closed doors in 2020, due to the pandemic, over 40,000 spectators returned to watch the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Eventing Championships, Le Lion d”Angers. On cross country day, the crowds lined the course, a sight which most of the young horses will not have encountered before; the presence of so many people may have affected some competitors, but it was a great education for these horses who have now experienced a large occasion.

Crowds line the cross country course

Here is a quick spin over the fabulous seven year old track at Le Lion, designed by Pierre Michelet

Kevin McNab and Cute Girl win the 7 Year Old Championship

The Seven Year Old Championship was dominated by Australia’s Kevin McNab with the Holsteiner mare Cute Girl who led from the start, to finish on their dressage score of 26.9.

Seven Yearl Old Champions – Kevin McNab and Cute Girl. ©Irish Eventing Times

The top Irish placing in the seven year old section was for Cathal Daniels with LEB Empress (owned by. and Catherine Von Schoen and bred by Jo Breheny in Co Waterford) who finished in 14th place on a score of 35.8. This combination finished in 5th place last year in the six year old championship.

Cathal Daniels and LEB Empress. ©Irish Eventing Times

The highest placed Irish bred horse was Cooley Snapchat (bred by Alan Wheeler,Limerick) ridden by Selina Milnes (GBR), who finished in 3rd place on 28.3.

Selina Milnes and Cooley Snapchat (GBR). ©Irish Eventing Times

Anna Lena Schaaf and Lagona 4 win the 6 Year Old Championship

In the six year old section it was the 20 year old German rider Anna Lena Schaaf with LAGONA 4, took the championship, having led the competition from the dressage phase .

Top Irish result was forSarah Ennis with DOUROUGH FERRO CLASS ACT (owned by Wendy Harris and Niki Potterton) who finished in 7th place. An unfortunate pole down in the show jumping, had dropped them down two places.

Sarah Ennis with DOUROUGH FERRO CLASS ACT (IRE)
FEI WBFSH World Breeding Eventing Championships, Le Lion d”Angers, France . ©Irish Eventing Times

The top placed Irish bred horse was BONMAHON CHELSEA (bred by Richie Fitzgerald,Waterford) ridden by Rebecca Chiappero for Italy. The combination finished on 31.7 to take 3rd place.