Pius Schwizer enthusiastic with his triumph in Lyon

So, life goes on after Carlina! We all remember that the Swiss former world number one had his Olympic mare taken away after the Olympic Games in London.

However, that does not stop him from winning, as he proved in the Prix French Tour EADS with Verdi III, a horse that, it must be said, is used to finishing in the top of the rankings in major classes: “Well, I hope it's not my last win of the weekend”, he joked. “But, in any event, things have got off to a good start, haven't they? It's always nice to win here, it's a fantastic competition; it was a difficult class, but, at least it means some money is coming in!” So, Carlina's departure is a thing of the past? “Life goes on and a good rider still remains a good rider. He has to be able to take new horses to the top, and I can tell you that my stables are full at the moment. It's important to continually train new horses because you're always at the mercy of an injury or one of them leaving, and you can quickly find yourself without a ride. It’s always been an obsession with me to have a group of horses available; it's really hard work but, for the moment, it is bringing its rewards…” With real passion in his voice, Pius runs the long list of his horses and their qualities, such as the 8-year-old Coolgirl that he mounted for the award ceremony because Verdi III does not like the noisy atmosphere of ceremonies: “She is only 8 years old, but already has four wins this year, including one in the 3* Grand Prix in Neuendorf…”

Pius is never short of words when on the subject of “his ” horses and, without us even asking, he raved about his latest purchase, the French 6-year old champion in 2011, Rafale des Forêts: “You'll see, she will be a great mare, and I bought her myself!” It is certainly a way to avoid any disappointments, such as Carlina's departure!

BEN MAHER RIDERS TO VICTORY

You had to be fast, very fast, to stand a chance of winning in the central arena at Equita this morning. Seven riders finished within the same second, but it was Ben Maher who set the pace in the first class of the CSI5*, the Prix de la Ville de Lyon.

“I'm really pleased; Lyon is one of my favourite indoor competitions and it's always good for your confidence to start a competition like Equita with a win. Vadeline is ten years old but I have only been riding her for three weeks. Until now, I had only done small classes with her; this is our first important competition and she reacted really well. I can continue on the World Cup circuit with her, and especially Stuttgart. Vadeline belongs to English and American owners, and I'm delighted to be able to repay their confidence so quickly, particularly as her former rider, Scott Smith, had very few horses of this level and decided that the mare should continue with me. I am very lucky to have so many great horses in my stables,” beamed the British rider, Olympic Champion in the team event at London. The London Olympics enabled Ben Maher to gain the confidence of new owners, and particularly the American Jane Clark who entrusted him with five new horses.

Ben Maher finished ahead of the Irish rider Shane Breen on Cos I Can.