Emily King Leads Pau Five-Star After Dressage as British Riders Dominate Top 20
Eleven British combinations finish inside the top 20 at Les 5 Étoiles de Pau, setting up a closely contested cross-country phase on Saturday.
Friday’s dressage competition at Les 5 Étoiles de Pau CCI5*-L brought significant changes to the leaderboard, with Emily King and Valmy Biats producing the standout performance of the day to move ahead of overnight leader Yasmin Ingham.
King and the 17-year-old French-bred gelding earned 75.48% from the judges, finishing on 24.5 penalties. Defending champions Tim Price (NZL) and Jarillo sit just 1.2 penalties behind in second place on 25.7, while France’s Sébastien Cavaillon occupies third with Elipso de la Vigne on 28.1.
The result continues a promising season for King and Valmy Biats, a Selle Français gelding by Orlando. The partnership finished runners-up at Luhmühlen CCI5*-L earlier this year and will now be looking to build on that experience over Pau’s demanding cross-country course.
Price, the current world number one, is attempting to defend the title he won with Jarillo in 2025. The New Zealander remains firmly in contention, while Cavaillon has given the home crowd plenty to celebrate with the highest-placed French performance. He also has a second ride in the competition, Hashtag de la Vigne, who finished the dressage phase in joint 26th.
Strong British Representation Throughout the Standings
Tom McEwen is the next highest-placed British rider, sitting fourth aboard nine-year-old Quintus on 28.6 penalties. The gelding is making his five-star debut, with the pair producing an encouraging opening performance at this level.
Yasmin Ingham, who led after Thursday’s first 17 combinations, moves into joint fifth with Gypsie du Loir on 28.9 penalties. The British rider is competing at five-star level for the first time in three years and shares her position with America’s Tiana Coudray and Cancaras Girl.
Bubby Upton also has two horses well placed following dressage. Its Cooley Time occupies eighth on 29.3 penalties, while her experienced partner Cola sits 15th on 32.3.
Izzy Taylor has three rides in the competition, with SBH Big Wall her highest-placed in joint ninth on 29.5 penalties. Barrington Alice shares 17th on 33.0, while PSH Encore sits 19th on 33.3.
Ros Canter and MHS Seventeen completed their test on Friday to finish 14th on 31.9 penalties, while Tom Jackson and Plot Twist B are joint 17th.
Jackson’s return to Pau is particularly noteworthy after the combination finished runners-up here in 2025. Their dressage score of 33.0 leaves them with ground to make up, but their previous experience of the event could prove valuable.
Willa Newton and Hartacker complete the British contingent inside the top 20, sharing 20th place on 33.4 penalties.
With all 49 combinations having completed the opening phase, the results leave several experienced partnerships within reach of the leading positions.
Pau Five-Star 2026: Top 10 After Dressage
| Position | Rider | Horse | Nation | Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emily King | Valmy Biats | GBR | 24.5 |
| 2 | Tim Price | Jarillo | NZL | 25.7 |
| 3 | Sébastien Cavaillon | Elipso de la Vigne | FRA | 28.1 |
| 4 | Tom McEwen | Quintus | GBR | 28.6 |
| =5 | Yasmin Ingham | Gypsie du Loir | GBR | 28.9 |
| =5 | Tiana Coudray | Cancaras Girl | USA | 28.9 |
| 7 | Mélody Johner | Erin | SUI | 29.0 |
| 8 | Bubby Upton | Its Cooley Time | GBR | 29.3 |
| =9 | Izzy Taylor | SBH Big Wall | GBR | 29.5 |
| =9 | Sarah Ennis | Dourough Ferro Class Act | IRL | 29.5 |
Source: Les 5 Étoiles de Pau, 23 October 2026.
Pierre Michelet’s Cross-Country Course Awaits
Saturday’s cross-country phase begins at 12 noon local time (11am BST), with course designer Pierre Michelet presenting competitors with a 6,270-metre track featuring 31 numbered obstacles.
The optimum time is 11 minutes, requiring an average speed of 570 metres per minute across a course that will test stamina, accuracy and the ability to maintain a consistent rhythm.
Riders will set off near the warm-up arena before tackling several distinctive features, including the newly introduced fence four, named the ‘Waouh’ Ville de Pau.
The water complexes at obstacles nine and eleven are expected to attract considerable spectator attention, while fence 21, the famous ‘Palois’, remains another recognisable feature of the course.
Michelet’s designs are known for demanding accurate riding and careful decision-making, with combinations required to maintain their concentration throughout the track.
For those at the top of the leaderboard, the margins are particularly tight. A single refusal or a handful of time penalties could dramatically change the order, while combinations further down the standings will have an opportunity to climb if they produce clear, fast rounds.
The competition concludes on Sunday, 25 October, with the final horse inspection followed by showjumping to determine the 2026 Pau CCI5*-L champion.