“He may not be the flashiest, but he gives me everything every time,” - Caroline Harris - Pau 5* Winner
British rider Caroline Harris and her 10-year-old gelding, D.Day, took the win at an unforgettable Pau Horse Trials in their debut season at the five-star level. The pair’s journey to the top of the leaderboard highlighted D.Day’s reliability and Harris’s perseverance in a competitive field, where they steadily climbed from an initial 22nd place after dressage.
Their standout performance came on cross-country day, navigating the challenging, mud-laden course that tested even the most seasoned combinations. By the end of cross-country, Caroline and D.Day found themselves in the lead, heading into the final showjumping phase without a cushion for error - a single time fault would have proven costly!
Staying focused, they delivered a clear round despite a couple of minor taps, securing their first five-star victory.
Reflecting on her journey, Caroline shared how she’s worked tirelessly to reach the five-star level and feels incredibly grateful for D.Day’s heart and consistency...
“He may not be the flashiest, but he gives me everything every time,” she said. “I owe him so much.”
The pair’s rise has been steady, with strong results at the four-star level this season, including a recent CCI4*-S win at Lignières. Originally, Caroline hadn’t planned to run D.Day at the five-star level. She described him as “under the radar” until recent years, with his talent only fully emerging as he took on each new challenge with reliability and spirit.
Defending Pau champions Ros Canter and Izilot DHI put in a strong performance to finish second, while Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality rounded out the all-British podium in third. Other notable finishes included Alex Hua Tian of China, who achieved his best five-star result with Chicko, securing fourth place, and Boyd Martin of the United States, who claimed fifth with Fedarman B after a challenging week.
Austrian rider Lea Siegl and DSP Fighting Line placed sixth, ending the season on a high note after a year marked by injury setbacks. The pair’s progression through the ranks, much like Caroline and D.Day’s, reflects the dedication required to reach the sport’s upper levels.
Caroline’s sincere appreciation extends to her support network and, especially, to D.Day, whom she credits with making her dreams a reality. Reflecting on her social media, she expressed her gratitude:
“It took a village, and I hope everyone knows how much I appreciate their support. Thank you most of all to D.Day, the legend.”
Final Results:
- 🥇 Caroline Harris & D.Day (40.3) 🇬🇧
- 🥈 Rosalind Canter & Izilot DHI (40.6) 🇬🇧
- 🥉 Tom McEwen & Brookfield Quality (43.0) 🇬🇧
