NRHA GRAND PRIX OPEN
Charlène Aubreton makes a big splash
There were only 7 riders registered in this class, including the impressive Bernard Fonck - NRHA World Champion several times, defending FEI World Champion and a 2 Million Dollars rider since last year - who presented 3 horses. If it was no real surprise that Bernard Fonck won the class with a score of 216.5 on Ricostyle - owned by Nuria Puig Ribas -, the amateur rider Charlène Aubreton - who usually competes in Non Pro and who decided to try her luck in this big event at the last minute - created the sensation of the day by finishing Reserve Champion, only one point behind the Belgian Champion. She was riding A Reminic Star, a 10-year-old stallion that she has owned for 6 years and with which she has already taken part in several international competitions, particularly FEI events. Charlène Aubreton trains at home, at the CJA Quarter Horses stable in Savoie, on the border with the Isère region. She was obviously delighted at the end of her performance and told us "It was really a last-minute decision, so I rode my round without any pressure. I thought I might manage a third or fourth place, so I'm delighted with my score! I am really pleased with Nemo (her horse's nickname), who has stuck with me after a tricky start to the show and a rather difficult season. This result gives me confidence for 2020!" As regards her participation at Equita Lyon - Charlène is a regular at the show - she told us "The conditions and organisation were as impeccable as usual. It's a pleasure to ride in front of a such an enthusiastic audience, it makes you want to come back! I have been here every year since the introduction of the Western events, as a rider and, for the last two years, also as an osteopath in the health area, since that is my profession. Equita Lyon is a major event, a real focal point for Western riding and riding in general."