NEXT week sees the annual FEI World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) championships take place at Le Lion d’Angers. There’s a certain poetic justice in the fact that the sport of eventing has replaced cavalry horse trials and that former state studs, once used for churning out cavalry remounts, instead host three-day-events.

Le Lion d’Angers has morphed from a three-day-event to the site of the world championships for young event horses. And again, the question about any championship is have we seen future superstars? Yes and in abundance as the Le Lion strike rate for future European, world and Olympic event horses is remarkable.

Eventing household names start in 1986 when Ginny Leng’s future European gold medal champion Master Craftsman (Master Spiritus) was fourth at the inaugural event as a mere six-year-old and continue right up to current champion JL Dublin (Diarado), fifth in the seven-year-old final three years ago.

Welton Romance (Welton Louis) finished fourth for Leng in 1992 before winning a gold medal for Ireland at the 1995 European championships with Lucy Thompson. Also in the class of 1992 was 12th-placed Yarlands Summer Song (Fleetwater Opposition) another to tick the Europeans, world championship and Olympic boxes treble with Marie-Christine Duroy (FRA).

Swiss rider Jörg Bodenmüller originally produced Karin Donckers Le Lion, WEG (Aachen, Lexington) and Olympic Games (Hong Kong, London) mare Gazelle de la Brasserie (Karaconda) and also won Le Lion with the Irish-bred Fancy Hill (Sky Boy) in 1993. This pair competed at European (Punchestown, Pratoni del Vivaro) and WEG (Stockholm, The Hague) level too.

Two standouts from the 1997 startlist are Rock King (Just A Monarch) and Shear H20 (Stan The Man) fifth and eighth respectively at Le Lion that year. Rock King is the grandsire of the Kate Jarvey-bred Tokyo Olympics half-brothers Colorado Blue (Jaguar Mail) and Balham Mist (Mill Law) through their dam Rock Me Baby.

He also produced Jane Thelwall’s 1988 Burghley winner and European silver medallist horse Kings Jester. And then there’s Rock Model, the horse that brought Vittoria Pannizon (ITA) all the way from fifth at Le Lion to European young riders level, two senior championships (Blenheim in 2005 and (Pratoni del Vivaro in 2007) and the Hong Kong Olympics.

1999 saw another Irish-bred winner in Captain Christy (Cavalier Royale) bred by Marion Hughes and a Badminton, Burghley, European and WEG veteran with Tina Cook. Ninth that year was Shear H20’s full-brother Shear L’Eau.

The turn of the millennium saw the introduction of the current six and seven-year-old finals and a slew of French-bred winners, including two dual Le Lion gold medal champions: Galan de Sauvegere (Joly Jumper) and Joker d’Helby (Kalem). In 2008, Nicolas Touzaint became the first Frenchman to win Badminton, courtesy of Hidalgo d’Isle (Uri de Longbost), a bronze and gold medal winner at Le Lion as a youngster.

Ismène du Temple (Cabdula du Tillard) progressed to three European championships (Blenheim, Pratoni and Fontainebleau) after her gold medal win in 2002 and placed individual sixth at the Hong Kong Olympics with Diddier Dhennin (FRA).

This pattern of five-star and championship material amongst French-breds continues right up to Tokyo with individual silver Toledo de Kerser (Diamant de Semilly) and bronze medallist Vassily de Lassos (Jaguar Mail) both placing in the top-six at Le Lion as youngsters.

Germany’s Olympic team horses have Le Lion form. Chipmunk FRH (Contendro I) was 29th in the six-year-old final in 2015 with Julia Krajewski and eighth at Tokyo with Michael Jung who scouts the French fixture for future horsepower. Takinou d’Hulm (Jaguar Mail), eliminated on the cross-country as a six-year-old with his previous French rider returned the next year with Jung to finish fourth before winning European individual gold in 2015.

Jung’s other top horses Halunke FBW (Heraldik), fishcherRocana (Ituango) and of course La Biosthetique Sam FBW (Stan The Man) are more graduates. Which horses beat silver medal winner Sam at Le Lion? The Swedish Olympic team horse Mister Pooh (Majim G) in the six-year-old final in 2010 and the following year, it was the Noel Cawley-bred Cast Away II (Clover Brigade).

Future Irish-bred Olympic horses with Le Lion on their C.V. include Ben Along Time (Cavalier Royale. Breeder: Ann Marie Jamieson), Cooley Rorkes Drift (Courage II. William McCarrison), Paulank Brockagh (Touchdown. Frank & Paula Cullen) and Mighty Nice (Ard Ohio. William Kells) or Over The Vee as he was known then while competed by Joseph Murphy.

Another five-star performer is Armada (Fines). He completed no less than 16 four-star events and finished in the top-10 seven times with Oliver Townend and Andrew Nicholson, The latter also rode Quimbo (Lacros), third in the vintage seven-year-old final of 2010, ahead of Bay My Hero (Cult Hero. Bryan Maguire) and Paulank Brockagh, sixth and eighth respectively.

All three went on to win a five-star: Rolex Kentucky for Quimbo (2013) and Bay My Hero (2014) while Paulank Brockagh landed Badminton the same year as her Irish-bred counterpart. 2019 European bronze medallist mare Rioghan Rua (Jack of Diamonds. Mags Kinsella) is another past Le Lion graduate in her early years with Cathal Daniels.

Most successful Le Lion graduate? The picture-perfect Miners Frolic was a brilliant team horse for Tina Cook, winning team gold, silver and bronze at WEG (2010), London and Hong Kong Olympics respectively as well as their individual highlights of gold at the 2009 European championships and a bronze medal at Hong Kong.

However, it has to be La Biosthetique Sam. Winning every major championship and five-star event sums up his career and he is undoubtedly the outstanding horse of modern eventing.

Best Irish-bred Lanaken graduate? Some big names to choose from, however for his string of team medals, plus the crowning highlight of individual gold at the Athens Olympics, Shear L’Eau, bred by the late Edward Walsh, set the standard.

A decade of champions

2010

Six-year-olds

Gold – Mrs Medicott (HANN. Rabino – Peppels, by Prince Thatch xx. Rider: Sara Algotsson-Ostholt (SWE).

Silver – Annie Clover (ISH. Newmarket Venture – Kilderry Clover, by Clover Hill. James Bradley. Rider: Nicola Wilson (GB).

Seven-year-olds

Gold – Mighty Magic (HOLST. Mytens xx – Neika, by Heraldik xx. Andreas Dibowski (GER).

2011

Six-year-olds

Gold – Rocana FST (SACHS. Ituango xx – Rose II, by Carismo. Rider: Michael Jung (GER).

Seven-year-olds

Gold – Zidante (KWPN. Polydox – Dante, by Voltaire. Rider: Kitty King (GB).

Bronze – Kiltealy Brief (ISH). Kiltealy Spring – Queen Tara, by Kintara. Breeder: Patrick Kavanagh. Rider: Piggy March (GB).

2012 – Cancelled.

2013

Six-year-olds

Gold – Tenareze (AA. Jaguar Mail – Utopie du Maury, by Quatar De Plape. Rider: Thomas Carlile (FRA).

Seven-year-olds

Gold – Sirocco du Gers (SF. Dorsay – Vieusinge du Maury. Rider: Thomas Carlile (FRA).

Silver – Fernhill Adventure (ISH. Newmarket Venture – Cloverwood, by Clover Hill. Breeder: Mary Quinlivan. Rider: Aoife Clarke (IRL)

2014

Six-year-olds

Gold – Star Connection (HANN. Chacco-Blue - Sunside, by Star Regent xx. Rider: Michael Jung (GER).

Bronze – Cooley Dream Extreme (ISH. Cruising – The Dreamseeker. Frank Gordon. Rider: Piggy March (GB).

Seven-year-olds

Gold – Tenareze (AA. Jaguar Mail – Utopie Du Maury, by Quatar De Plape. Rider: Thomas Carlile (FRA).

2015

Six-year-olds

Gold – FischerIncantas (HOLST. Ibisco – Ressina, by Coriano. Rider: Michael Jung (GER)

Bronze – SRS Adventure (ISH. Newmarket Venture – Newmarket Dato Two, by Aldato. Breeder: Billy Daly. Rider: Sophie Richards (IRL).

Seven-year-olds

Gold – Mr Bass (HOLST. Carrico – K-Jeunesse, by Exorbitant. Rider: Laura Collett (GB).

2016

Six-year-olds

Gold – Fire Fly (KWPN. Zavall VDL – Wiltura R, by Corland. Rider: Christopher Burton (AUST).

Seven-year-olds

Gold – Weisse Duene (HOLST. Clarimo – Esprit V, by Romino. Rider: Ingrid Klimke (GER)

2017

Six-year-olds

Gold – 1, Monkeying Around (HANN. Bertoli W – Donnee, by Donnerhall. Rider: Izzy Taylor (GB).

Seven-year-olds

Gold – Alertamalib’Or (AA. Yarlands Summer Song – Dambine, by Prince Igor. Rider: Astier Nicolas (FR)

Silver – Direct Cassino (ISH. Cassino – Diamonds Double, by Ceredigion. Rider: Izzy Taylor (GB).

2018

Six-year-olds

Gold – 1, Cristal Fontaine (SF. Chef Rouge – Nous Avons Gagne, by Griot de Mara. Rider: Kitty King (GB).

Silver – Emerald Jonny (ISH. Waldo Van Dungen – Z Royalty H, by Rubels. Breeder: Donnacha Quinn. Rider: Piggy March (GB).

Bronze – Cooley Moonshine (ISH. Cobra – Kilpatrick Duchess, by Kings Master. Breeder: MJ Kavanagh. Rider: Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp (USA).

Seven-year-olds

Gold – Asha P (BRAND. Askari 173 – Hera, by Heraldik xx. Rider: Ingrid Klimke (GER).

Silver – Capels Hollow Drift (ISH. Shannondale Sarco – Lucky Crest, by Lucky Gift xx. Breeder: Jeanette Glynn. Rider: Tom Jackson (GB).

2019

Six-year-olds

Gold – Cooley Lancer (ZVCH. Coeur de Nobless M – Tance Catoche Du Houssoit, by Ogana de Sitte. Rider: Piggy March (GB).

Seven-year-olds

Gold – Happy Boy (KWPN. Indoctro – W Amelusina 17, by Odermusser. Rider: Tim Price (NZ).

Silver – Cooley Moonshine (ISH. Cobra – Kilpatrick Duchess, by Kings Master. Breeder: MJ Kavanagh. Rider: Elisabeth Halliday- Sharp (USA).

2020

Six-year-olds

Gold – Cascamara (WESTF. Cascadello – Taramanga, by Templer GL xx. Rider: Ingrid Klimke).

Silver – Cooley Rosalent (ISH. Valent – Bellaney Jewel, by Roselier xx. Breeder: J.W (Woods) Rosbotham. Rider: Oliver Townend (GB).

Seven-year-olds

Gold – Sweetwaters Ziethen T (TRAK) Abendtanz – Zaria, by Campetot. Rider: Sophie Leube (GER).

Did you know

  • Le Lion d’Angers is one of seven state studs in France. Its origins trace back to 1797 when the role of such studs across Europe was to ensure the supply of cavalry horses. Tourism and education have since become their primary role. Art exhibitions and heritage days run in tandem with stallion parades, horse racing, show jumping, dressage and side-saddle competitions at Le Lion.
  • In the 1970s, the studfarm was expanded to 160 hectares and architect Geoffrey de Crépy, also responsible for the National Riding School in Saumur, designed a new range of buildings.
  • Another noted designer is Pierre Michelet who creates the imaginative Le Lion d’Angers courses. Intricately-carved animal figures and musical instruments are the hallmarks of his Le Lion cross-country fences.
  • The first three-day-event was held here in 1986 and the young horse championship concept developed from a separate award for the top-placed six- to eight-year-olds in the CCI class.
  • The current format of six- and seven-year-old championships began in 2000.
  • Bad weather forced the cancellation of the 2012 event.
  • One thoroughbred, Ingrid Klimke’s Sleep Late, has won here (1998). Both he and another British-bred thoroughbred Miners Frolic went on to compete at two Olympic Games each.
  • One of the most famous eventing stallions that competed at Le Lion is Jumbo (Skippy). He claimed the top young horse trophy with sixth place in 1991 with Andrew Nicholson. The same pilot later competed there with the Jumbo offspring Avebury, a future winner of three Burghley titles. Other leading Jumbo offspring include Headley Britannia and Mr Chunky.
  • The Trakehner stallion Grafenstolz was the leading event horse sire in last year’s WBFSH rankings. A gold medal winner at Le Lion (2004), he later competed at two- and three-star level with Michael Jung before retiring to stud full-time. A two-star win at Compiègne may not appear as the pinnacle of an event horse’s career, however the line-up included Jung’s rising star La Biosthetique Sam in second place. In fourth place was another future dual Olympian, Mr Medicott (Cruising – Slieveluachra, by Edmund Burke. Breeder: Donal Geaney), then ridden by Frank Ostholt, his rider at the Hong Kong Olympics.
  • Irish Jester (Slyguff Joker – Annaduff, by Leabeg. Breeder: Eamon Gleeson), finished third with Angela Tucker in 2005. He also won the Burghley young event horse finals as a four- and five-year-old.
  • Frank and Laura Glynn have bred Irish contenders at both Lanaken (Killossery Kaiden (Lux Z) and Killossery Karma (Livello)) and Le Lion d’Angers (Killossery Wrens Nest (Master Imp), Killossery Katriona (I’m A Star) and Killossery Kobra (Glenagyle Rebel)).
  • 2009 European silver medallist horse Some Day Soon (Kiltealy Spring – Hope 2, by Diamond Lad. Breeder: Donald Murphy) is the odd one out in the 2009 European eventing championships top-seven. All others - Miners Frolic (gold), La Biosthetique Sam FBW (bronze), Idalgo (fourth), Ismene de Temple (fifth), Gazelle de la Brasserie (sixth) and Della Malaspina Irham de Vaiges (seventh) – competed at Le Lion.
  • Most successful rider of Irish-breds? That would be Some Day Soon’s pilot, Piggy March. From Cast Away to Emerald Jonny, the current European silver medallist has produced the most Irish medal winners at Le Lion.
  • Most popular surname amongst successful Irish breeders? Kavanagh. Maura (Fancy Hill), Patrick (Kiltealy Brief) and MJ (Cooley Moonshine) all bred Le Lion top-three prize-winners.
  • Most prolific Irish sires at Le Lion? Slyguff Stud’s Master Imp (Imperius) was the most-represented and Billy Daly’s Newmarket Venture (Potsdam) has produced the most medal winners.
  • Finally, the aptly named Mr Big Cat competed in the seven-year-old class at Le Lion d’Angers 10 years ago with Clayton Fredericks (AUST). The Brazilian-bred thoroughbred stallion later stood at Drumhowan Stud.