Capelle Morosi, Stullein, Serre Win 2023 French Dressage Championships

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2023 French Dressage Championships

Pony rider Thanais Capelle Morosi, small tour rider Alexia Stullein, and senior Grand Prix rider Arnaud Serre became the winners of the French Dressage Championships which were held the weekend of 7 - 9 July 2023 at two different venues.

The pony riders traditionally contest their National Championships at the mass pony event, across disciplines, at Lamotte-Beuvron, while the horse riders have been gathering annually in Vierzon since 2015 for their title match. The children, junior, young riders and U25, who are now preparing for their European Championships this month, will compete for the national titles in Le Mans at the end of October.

Pony Riders: Thanais Capelle Morosi

In Lamotte-Beuvron France's best pony riders met for the national championships as well as the final team selection trial for the upcoming European Championships as team captain Muriel Leonardi would detail who on the short list are team riders and who is reserve. Ten pairs competed in the Championships at FEI pony level over two rounds

Routinier Thanais Capelle Morosi and the 12-year old French bred stallion Bandro Hit (by Sandro Hit x Courage) were undefeated and the only pair to twice score over 70%. They got 70.38% in round one and 72.97% in round two to take the gold medal and title. Bandro Hit was first started at FEI pony level by Astrid Antunes Milou in 2018 before Morosi took over in 2021. The silver medal went to the Dutch-French Fleur Weijkamp on the 11-year old Welsh stallion Orchard NL (by Brouwershaven Diamond Hit x Orchard Red Prince) after scoring 69.62% and 69.19%. Right on her heels was bronze medal winner Timothe Viaud aboard the 10-year old AES registered Dazzling Kid d'Herbord (by Oscar La Chevalerie x Flatteur). This new pair of the season posted 69.33% and 69.01%.

Thanais Capelle Morosi and Bandro Hit Linaro

"It was my goal of the year to get the title and it's true that I was very determined. I worked very hard to capture this title with Bandro," a beaming Morosi said afterwards.

Small Tour: Alexia Stullein

Taking a leap to Vierzon where the horse riders were battling it out for the senior titles, in the small tour Alexia Stullein and her 11-year old Bavarian bred Bella Josi L (by Johnson x Belissimo M) topped the board and received the champion sash. They won the first two rounds (72.294% in the PSG, and 72.059% in the Inter I), but dropped to 69.405% in the Kur. However their total of 213.758 points put them first.

The silver medal went to Virginie Kriegel aboard the 9-year old Hanoverian Special Agent du Hans (by Schwarzgold x Lucke). They started strongly with a 70.765% in the PSG but dropped to 67.118% in the Inter I, yet climbed back up to 72.545% to win the Freestyle. Their total of 210.428 points out them on the silver step of the podium. Claire Gosselin and the 8-year old home bred Forever de Lauture (by Koeris x Karamel de Lauture) got bronze after scoring 70.206%, 68.618%, and 69.560%.

Senior Big Tour: Arnaud Serre

With the French team potentials for the Europeans in Riesenbeck competing back-to-back at the CDIO Rotterdam and CDIO Aachen, riders Morgan Barbancon, Corentin Pottier, Alexandre Ayache, Camille Judet Cheret and last year's champion Pauline Basquin skipped Vierzon. This left plenty of room for Arnaud Serre and his rising star James Bond de Massa to move to the forefront.

Brieussel, Serre and Lundy on the senior podium

Serre and Françoise Niclaus' 9-year old Luso warmblood James Bond de Massa (by Bon Bravour x Xaquiro) won the two rounds with 70.739% in the Grand Prix and 70.787% in the Special. He captured the title with a total of 141.526 points, his third in his career after claiming highest honour in 2010 and 2011. James Bond de Massa was the 2021 French Championships for 7-Year Olds, but at the time ridden by Laetitia Lorber.

"It's always nice to be French champion, it's been a long time," said Serre with a smile. "It's cool, and James Bond also has a fairly exceptional career, with the Young Horses and then in the small Tour. I think that few horses have managed to make the transition between these levels in one year and be champion each time. My ambition is to take part in the 2024 Paris Olympics and therefore wan my horse to be in top shape to be able to claim a place on the French team. That's the only career goal I'm missing! James Bond is still a bit young for the Europeans this year, although I will definitely think about it if I'm needed."

The silver medal went to Stephanie Brieussel aboard Dominique Degueldre's 10-year old Hanoverian Devonport (by Dancier x Ravallo). She posted 69.696% in the Grand Prix and 67.723% in the Special to finish on 137.419 points. it was the horse's only second competition this year. Brieussel was highly active on the international scene with the now retired Amorak and convinced family friend Dominique Degueldre to invest in new horse stock for her, brought together under the company "Chucky Feel Good". Degueldre bought licensed stallion Quaterhit, WCYH finalist Don Vito de Hus, and 2017 Bundeschampionate and WCYH finalist Devonport as Brieussel's Paris Olympic hopefuls. So far this year Brieussel has only shown Catherine Papanicolaou Quentzel's15-year old Hanoverian mare Happy Lady N (by Hochadel x Londonderry) and her own and Gildas Nicoleau's Fellini du Soleil (by Foundation x Rubin Royal) at international Grand Prix level in February.

The bronze medal was captured by Captain Guillaume Lundy aboard the ICFE owned 16-year old Hanoverian Temp (by Brentano II x Donnerhall), who posted 67.196% int he Grand Prix and 68.830% in the Special to total 136.026 points.

Results - 2023 French Dressage Championships

Pony Riders

1. Thanais Capelle Morosi - Bandro Hit Linaro - 70,38% - 72,97% --- 71,68%
2. Fleur Weijkamp - Orchard Nl - 69,62% - 69,19% --- 69,40%
3. Timothe Viaud - Dazzling Kid D'herbord - 69,33% - 69,01% --- 69,17%
4. Noemie Haxaire - Dante B - 69,76% - 68,56% --- 69,16%
5. Clemence Baelen - Dom Perignon Alizay - 66,57% - 67,43% --- 67,00%
6. Charlotte Pons - Dinky Toy Vh Bloemenhof - 65,52% - 65,63% --- 65,58%
7. Eva Sanchez - Miami - 65,29% - 65,68% --- 65,48%
8. Celestine Delrieu - Dunia - 65,00% - 64,05% --- 64,53%
9. Cleo Billy Beaute - Aston Martin Alizay - 63,38% - 62,42% --- 62,90%
10. Sixtine Capdeville - White Flag Du Luot - 56,43% - 56,26% --- 56,34%

Small Tour (top 10 only)

1. Alexia Stullein - Bella Josi L - 72.294 72.059 69.405 --- 213.758
2. Virginie Kriegel - Special Agent Du Hans - 70.765 67.118 72.545 --- 210.428
3. Claire Gosselin - Forever De Lauture - 70.206 68.618 69.560 --- 208.384
4. Rachel Bastady - Dewdrop's Johnny Depp - 67.206 67.618 70.495 --- 205.319
5. Loic Devedu - Fortune Carree De Hus - 68.794 66.265 68.390 --- 203.449
6. Pascale Rebischung - Donnerhall Du Coussoul - 64.235 66.941 72.090 --- 203.266
7. Estelle Amelot - Don Largo Du Coussoul - 67.441 64.823 69.415 --- 201.679
8. Alexia Mayer - Fantaisy - 66.530 66.853 68.065 --- 201.448
9. Mathieu Berville - Fragolino Du Parc - 59.500 70.441 68.950 --- 198.891
10. Clemence Audi Bussio - Hiphop D'arx - 66.382 64.412 67.645 --- 198.439

Senior Grand Prix

1. Arnaud Serre - James Bond De Massa - 70.739 70.787 --- 141.526
2. Stephanie Brieussel - Devonport - 69.696 67.723 --- 137.419
3. Guillaume Lundy - Tempo - 67.196 68.830 --- 136.026
4. Barbara Clement Klinger - Bolero Du Coussoul - 67.391 67.106 --- 134.497
5. Marine Soulet - Ginsengue - 65.283 64.702 --- 129.985
6. Alizee Roussel - Bel Amour - a 65.283 63.723 --- 129.006
7. Lea Grange - Socrate Coste Rousse - 63.370 64.255 --- 127.625
8. Caroline Godin - Querida De Hus - 63.348 63.979 --- 127.327
9. Elia Dominguez - Golias Do Penedo - 63.565 62.638 --- 126.203
10. Bertille Pelardy - Darius De Massa - 64.196 61.979 --- 126.175
11. Livia Gallego - Calypso De Massa. - 59.304 --- 59.304
12. Stephane Mazzacco - Wizard W - 58.739 61.766 --- 58.739 107
Clemence Jean - Scarlet Ohara - DNS