2004 La Baule Ride Report

The ladies ruled the day at La Baule, France May 8 when 21 yr. old Italian rider Diana Origgi, riding the 8 yr old Jasmineh (Falstaf x Desire Delia Gazza) won the ride in a ride time of 9:07:43. Sophie Arnaud from France riding Dalton Du Capimont ( Jano x Missmis) came in 2nd, while Angela Origgi (It) riding Jadana ( Dotek x )took third place.

The press conference acceptance speech was translated from Italian into French, and then by me into English. This may account for any liberties taken with the conversation, but the gist of the information is intact. Diana Origgi said her ride went very well, and even though it was the first 160 km for both she and her horse, they were both experienced at smaller rides and well prepared. Italian Chef d’equipe, Sergio Tommasi, said that he had not placed Diana on the Team, as neither she nor her horse had as yet completed a 160 km ride. This did leave her with the opportunity to compete a bit harder. When the 3rd team member was eliminated early in the ride, he gave her 26 yr old sister, Angela, the go-ahead to ride more competitively as well.

Officially, there were 37 horse/rider combinations on the starter list from 8 countries. Four countries fielded teams - France, Italy, Portugal, and Belgium. Ride Results | Detailed Ride Results

This is how the day unfolded -

The riders had a calm start, and the Italians waited until everyone else had gone before trotting calmly down the beach. Several male riders went quickly to the lead and dominated the first few loops, namely Italian Team member, Fausto Fiorucci , French riders, Jack Begaud and Philippe Tomas, Mohammed Ali Al Shafar from the UAE and Turkoglu Selaattin from Turkey

The first loop went north into the country for 30 km to the vet gate on the grounds around ruins of the castle at Ranrouet (circa 13th Century). The Europeans may take this for granted, but I am breathless when presented with the casual approach of staging a vet check at these monuments to time. Imagine what the original owners would have thought of this type of use of their home. It is here that I finally meet in person, Georges Chauvin. Georges has competed in over 1000 miles of AERC events, including multi-day rides, and is wearing a cowboy hat and driving a Ram Charger. He has often helped me make arrangements in France, and is waiting for his next opportunity to ride in the US.

The experienced Italian rider, Fausto Fiorucci, arrived first after 30 km into the first vet check in 1 hr./41 min (17.7 km/hr).. I remember watching Fausto determinedly dog the pace of Valerie Kanvy in Dubai during a ride (unsuccessfully), and thinking then that he was a courageous rider. He was followed closely into the vet check by Jack Begaud, then Katie Smith, Mohammed Ali Al Shafar, Philippe Tomas and Catherine Roland. At this point Diana Origgi was 9th and Angela Origgi was 26th. Italian Team member, Palini Giancarlo was the only elimination at this vet check, but he took the team chances with him.

The 2nd loop was 39.8 km?.and headedd up to Penestin along the coast, where the vet check was held at the local Tourist Information center on the tarmac. US Veterinarian, Dr. Dane Frazier said, “there is no chance to hide a lameness on such a hard surface”. Since the tourist departments of this Loire Atlantic area were a large part of the sponsors for this event, it made perfect sense for them to stage the vet check in their parking area, other than the fact that there was a lot of land around with a soft surface.

UAE rider, Al Shafar had challenged for the lead during this 2nd loop, breathing down the necks of Fiorucci and Roland. He pulsed down first and left this loop just in the lead of these two. Diana Origgi left in 14th place. Six riders fell by the wayside after this check, including Jack Begaud and Philippe Tomas.

I was fortunate to be driven on this course around the backroads of France by French journalist, Jocelyn Alligier. We hurtled through many small villages, trailed by the various rider crews. She diligently checked the maps and found us stops between the vet checks to view the riders progress. These stops were invariably manned by volunteers and/or French gendarmes making certain that the traffic gave priority to the horses. There were no large water troughs at these areas, but individual crews brought water for the horses to drink in buckets. Generally, the rider would pause only long enough for the horse to drink and grab a container of water to pour over the horse as they cantered off. They would then drop the container down the trail for the crew to retrieve. It was a great chance for me to stand in wildflowers of yellow, blue and white all over this part of France waiting for the front-runners. When the sun came out and the wind abated, I thought how lucky I was.

The third leg of the ride left from Penestin to make the 32.6 km trail back to Ranrouet - and we found a most interesting part of the trail to take photos of the riders and horses. The tides here have incredible range. Their rise and fall is not so much measured in feet as in miles. The riders crossed about �½ mile of the bay at Point Mahe at low tide (strategic planning here), which had retreated several miles to the west. At high tide the day before, there were boats sailing in this same area. The Belgian rider who often rides in the United States, Leonard Liesens, said this was the best part of the ride for him. “There was some road, and some muddy areas that were okay if you managed them correctly,” he said. “But the bay area was the best, with soft footing to canter on, and only an little bit of water.”

Back at Ranrouet , fast riding Turkoglu Selaattin took the lead for this loop. He was in front of Al Shafar, Fiorucci, Katie Smith, Robert Pastor, Diana Origgie, and Sophie Arnaud, in that order. Now there were 10 riders eliminated, among them Australia’s only entry, Meg Wade, as well as France’s Catherine Roland.

From Ranrouet the trail headed 23 km to the ramparts of the walled city (circa 14th Century) of Guerande. Locals told me that this town was walled to protect against invaders. When I asked which ones, the Gallic shrug was invoked. Apparently, there were many who wanted this lovely area of La Baule, long before the Parisians discovered it. Some who succeeded were the Normans, the Vikings, the Celts and the English.

Coming into the city, the riders circled a walking path outside the ramparts before stopping at the vet check. Casual strollers with baby carts were surprised to see horses galloping up behind them. There were townsfolk and followers who had turned up at each stop, hiking deep into the woods at times, to see the horses pass. In the crisp air, at the vet check at Guerande, they numbered in the hundreds. They would ask polite and informed questions about the front-runners of anyone who might seem to know.

Sophie Arnaud had taken the lead after the 4th loop, followed now by Selaattin, Diana Origgi, Katie Smith, Al Shafar, and, Laurie, Lambert, Lissarrague, Pastor, Demedy and Hili of the French riding squad.

There were 21 riders who took the 5th loop 19.5 kms out into the countryside and circled back to Guerande. The wind had picked up and was launching dirt and sand like a sandblaster as well as quickly drying any sweat on the horses.

Now it was a race of attrition. A bit like the game of musical chairs, the lucky ones and the riders who had ridden carefully were the ones that were left. Diana Origgi was in 1st position after loop 5, followed by Arnaud, Smith, Selaatitin, Karin Boulanger, Jean-Louis Deschamps, and Liesens.

There was a 19.5 km ride back to the beach to decide the winner. An estimated 400 onlookers battened into winter coats stood in the fading sunlight and flapping canvas tenting to watch the ride finale. These people want to be here. The festive atmosphere was enhanced by the announcer, who informed onlookers about the riders both in French and in English. Diana Origgi led the field of 18 riders who finished the ride at 8:37 PM. The last rider finished at 10:49 PM. Barricades were set up for the last vet checks on the beach and onlookers crowded around to see the sound horses final trot out on the sand.

On Sunday, Veterinarians awarded Diana Origgi’s mount, Jasmineh, Best Conditioned horse, as well.

French Chef d’equipe, Pierre Cazes, said that the wind had taken it’s toll on the French horses. He had not sent his best horses and riders to La Baule, giving the experience and opportunity to qualify for the WEG to some of the junior classed riders. He will test his French riders over the next two CEIO rides at Newmarket in England, and Gubbio in Italy. He did say that he is sending his experienced Senior Team to Newmarket.

I have to echo Dr. Frazier’s comments that the Organizing Committee deserves commendation for a superb job. Events were well organized and run on time. There was enough help, food and information.

Pamela

[More to come on Endurance in France]
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