"In Fontainebleau, the weather is always a crucial factor. Even if it is a galloping course and the ground is extremely good, the part in the woods remains an area in which you gallop less quickly. It is essential to constantly watch the ground and the trees, without forgetting that we cannot see where we have to turn very far in advance… And with a 70 metres / minute course, it will not be easy to have a good time," explains the rider from the Ile de France, Karim Florent Laghouag.

This second event of the Generali CICW*** will certainly have some surprises in store for us. "In a CIC like Fontainebleau, there is a jumping effort every hundred metres. We must constantly take charge of our horses and stimulate them. As for the fences, I think that the exit from the second water crossing will cause a few problems. Contrary to last year, where we only had a bounce fence at the beginning of the course, the course designer has planned an exit at an angle, with an uphill fence followed by an apex fence. It will be spectacular." With 23 fences, nine of which are combinations and 35 jumping efforts to carry out, the course is any thing but easy. Far from it.

"Indeed, everything will depend on the way in which we approach the course. If the strides are reasonable, and we have the distance necessary to approach the fences, the apex fences and the other difficulties should not cause any problems."

Considering all of the difficulties that the riders will encounter throughout the entire course, Thierry Touzaint, the national trainer, has given tips to each of them depending on their horses. "Of course we are expecting some clear rounds," says Pascal Dubois, the National Technical Director for the French Equestrian Federation. "We are here to compete in the event. Nevertheless, according to the level of performance for each of our riders and their horses, we would like them to be at ease during the course. This does not necessarily mean for them to have a clear round within the time limit, but for them to complete it with an objective of performing well and preparing themselves for the important dates to come.

They may be the Olympic Games in Hong King for some riders, or being qualified for Saumur for other ones… Each rider has his own objective."