Doug Payne and Crown Talisman (USEF Archive)

Saumur, France – The Saumur CCI3* is set to host some of the top international eventing combinations, May 22-25, in France’s picturesque countryside. Doug Payne has traveled from his North Carolina base to the prestigious competition on a Land Rover Competition Grant, and looks to impress with the ever-improving Crown Talisman.

Payne (Apex, N.C.) and his own and Larry and Amelia Ross’ 11-year-old Holsteiner/Thoroughbred gelding make their second CCI3* start this weekend after collecting fourth-place honors at The Dutta Corp Fair Hill International to close out their 2013 campaign. The pair has enjoyed a strong spring season, earning a fourth-place finish in the CIC3* at the Cloud Eleven~Gavilan North LLC Carolina International in March, and two weeks ago winning the CIC3* at Jersey Fresh before leaving for France.

Joining Payne in the 73 horse field is compatriot Elisabeth Halliday (East Sussex, United Kingdom), who will ride Deborah Halliday’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Fernhill by Night.

Both U.S. competitors will perform their dressage tests on Friday with Halliday going down centerline at 10:35am CEST and Payne at 2:05pm CEST.

To learn more about the Saumur CCI3*, visit http://www.saumur.org/cci/accueil-gb.html.

Follow the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.