Biography

Olympic French rider Denis Mesples (54) who is based in Corbreuse, 40 miles south-west of Paris, last competed at Badminton in 2014. Last year with Badminton entry Oregon de la Vigne he was 16^th at Pau and in 2016 the pair completed Burghley.

In 2012 he was a member of the French Olympic team in London 2012 – team eighth and 50th individually – and rode as an individual at the WEG in Caen. With Vanpire he won team silver at the 2001 European Championship in Pau.

Denis, who is a full time rider and teacher, began eventing in 1971. He trains with Theirry Touzaint and in his spare time enjoys diving.

Oregon de la Vigne, is a 16-year-old Selle Francais gelding Bred by Lucien and Jacques Villotte at Elevage de la Vigne near Deauville he is by the Selle Francais Desir du Chateau (by Quidam de Revel) who now stands at Morningside Stud in Ireland. He is out of the SF mare Valse Brune by the Anglo-Arab Gentil Pierre. He was acquired by Denis from the breeders and has been produced by him through the grades.