History
Historical background
The original idea of creating this international equestrian event came from Doctor Chambaud, Mayor of Lons, in October 1990. An association was formed “Compétitions Equestres Pau-Pyrénées” (CEPP). The first friendly Eventing Competition (CCA) between four nations was held at the Domaine de Sers in Pau. This site is the second most important horse race training centre in France, run by the Société des Courses des Pyrénées Atlantiques, and offers one of the most attractive equestrian grounds in Europe.
In 1991 Pau acquired its CCI* accreditation and welcomed 6 nations with 84 competitors.
In 1992 Pau hosted a CCI** event and for the first time welcomed the top New Zealand riders Marc TODD and Andrew NICHOLSON, who brought with them the best riders and young hopefuls of the international scene, who are based mainly in England.
Between 1992 and 1997, the Pau-Pyrénées CCI** event made regular progress and became one of the main international events. Considerable efforts are made in the construction of the jumping obstacles, in the preparation of the ground and in welcoming the competitors. Between 10 and 16 nations are represented in Pau.
In 1997 the CCI** was a great success, welcoming 15 000 spectators over the weekend.
In 1998 Pau’s CCI** beats all the records: 119 competitors from 19 nations are present. 20 000 spectators spent the weekend enjoying this tremendous sporting event and festival of horsemanship.
On the strength of this success, the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) entrusted the organization of the FEI European Senior Eventing Championships to France, and the 2001 event was held in Pau.
In 2003 and 2004 CEPP organize the World Cup Eventing Final.
In 2005, CEPP organize one step of the World Cup Equestrian Triathlon.
In 2006, Pau receives its fourth star. 2007 is the year of the test for the CCI****.
In 2007, organisation of the first French Horse trials **** (CCI****)
In 2008, second CCI****. The event is now a wellknown horse trials for media and riders
Wednesday 21 July
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the International Pau Horse Trials, we are looking back to the original team of the competition, the officials of the Pau town council who have supported us from the beginning of this adventure, the winner of the first “Concours Complet d’Amitié de Pau” in 1990 and more…
You can follow all of our fascinating interviews and research on the page “Interviews” in “Press Pass” of this official web site.
In 1990, James Chambaud created the “Compétitions Equestres Pau Pyrenees” (CEPP) committee to organize the International Horse Trials. In 2010, 20 years later, his son Thierry Chambaud has been elected as the Vice-President of CEPP. We interviewed both of them separately.
To read more, please click here and download the Newsletter.
Wednesday 16 June
Our English counterpart, the Land Rover Burghley Four Star Horse Trials, opens its ticketing and you can win free tickets!
You only have to send your email address before June 30th 2010 and you may be picked out of a draw and win tickets for the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.
We intend to have a closer co-operation with this event which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2011; we are already doing promotional campaigns together.
We hope you will be able to participate in this beautiful HSBC FEI CLASSIC series from 2nd to 5th September and meet the organizers of the “The Stars of Pau” on their trade stand in the exhibitor village. There will be more details on this promotional operation in our August newsletter.
For more details on this tombola, please download Land Rover Burgley Horse Trial’s newsletter.
You will find information there on the sequence of events. For sport and nature lovers, you will discover how to have a great week-end in this beautiful part of England.
Newsletter Burghley
Tuesday 16 March
The International Equestrian Federation has just confirmed the dates for the “Stars of Pau”: from November 4th to 7th 2010.
Once again Pau is part of the elite group of organizers of the CEC and hosts the final stage of the CCI 4 star circuit of the HSBC FEI Classics™.
For the 2010 program, the organizers, CEPP and Centaure Production, will hold the prestigious CIC**** event, the CCI** event, the Shetland pony competition and the sale of competition horses. The Domaine de Sers have arranged for numerous new events during the four days with new trade stand areas to satisfy even more visitors.
In January, we announced that the HSBC FEI World Cup Final was to have been organized in Pau in conjunction with the Final event of the HSBC FEI Classics™. However, The Alltech FEI world Equestrian Games™, Kentucky 2010, is being held very late this year (from September, 25th to October, 10th). This may push some riders to overexert their horses. So in order to ensure an outstanding competition and to preserve the horses’ welfare, the FEI has opted for a series with no final event and the standings points earned at each of the various events throughout the year, will count towards the final prize pot. This will benefit all riders and their horses travelling long distances to the event, and is a fairer system. What’s more this will have the advantageous effect of making the series more exciting by linking each event together, making it more meaningful. It’s an exceptional decision that the riders and organizers have fully endorsed.
FEI press release
NEWS :
• Saturday’s schedule will be totally reserved for the Cross Country: CCI** Cross Country in the morning and CIC**** Cross Country in the afternoon.
• Centaure Production is planning a larger trade stands area which can accommodate more exhibitors than last year.
Tuesday 1 December
“Thank you a thousand times for a fantastic competition. We spent a superb week in Pau, everyone was very nice and kind. Atmosphere at your event is always excellent and my owners have been very well received.”
William Fox-Pitt, Rider winner 2009 of HSBC FEI Classics
“This has been a well run and excellent international event.”
Joseph Carr, Chief Steward
“The third International Eventing Competition 4 stars of Pau was a popular success… a high level show with effective animations, the Stars of Pau held their rank as a number 1 event.”
Daily regional newspaper : “La République des Pyrénées”
“Your competition is so amazing that everybody told me before I went to Pau. You cuts one of the best competitions in the world!!”
Christina Klingspor, Official Judge
“… Congratulations for this superb event. ”
Michel Asseray, Ground Judge
“Pau rose this weekend to rank on the world scene of horseriding… To the natural image that the horse embodies no suspicion is attached; neither doping, nor poisoning of the planet by CO2 emission. ”
Daily regional newspaper: Sud Ouest
“This 4 star Eventing is unique in France… It is an amazing thing to see the surprise in the eyes and the remarks of the people who attend the cross-country. ”
Didier Courrèges, Olympic champion by team at the Athens JO
“The International Eventing Competition of Pau is one of the Department’s shop windows for their equestrian program.”
Daily regional newspaper: L’Eclair
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