Sarah Bullimore and Corimiro finish fifth on five-star debut at Pau

Sarah Bullimore guided her home-bred horse Corimiro to a strong fifth-place finish in his five-star debut at the Pau Horse Trials last autumn. The nine-year-old gelding led after a flawless cross-country round despite a stopwatch mishap. Bullimore describes the enthusiastic youngster as a rising star in eventing.

Sarah Bullimore's partnership with Corimiro, a nine-year-old home-bred by Amiro Z out of Lilly Corinne, marked a promising milestone at the Pau Horse Trials in 2025. The horse, owned by Bullimore's husband Brett, Christopher and Susan Gillespie, and Bruce Saint, finished fifth overall after taking the lead following cross-country. This result came on Corimiro's first five-star outing, showcasing his potential despite his youth and inexperience.

Bullimore recounted the cross-country phase with surprise and delight. "I went out with no expectations and I actually managed to knock my stopwatch off at about five minutes," she said in an interview on The Horse & Hound Podcast. Unsure of her timing initially, she let Corimiro find his rhythm, noting his natural huge stride and ease over the course. The crowd's cheers upon her arena entry hinted at a strong performance, and she later learned she was well inside the optimum time of over 11 minutes. "Milo literally made it feel like a BE100 – he was just fantastic," Bullimore added.

A single rail down in showjumping the next day dropped them to fifth, but Bullimore viewed it as a super achievement. Corimiro, the fourth foal of Lilly Corinne, shares traits with his dam's offspring, including a drive to perform. His older brother, Corouet, won individual bronze at the 2021 European Championships. Bullimore portrays Corimiro as "a big, lovable oaf" who is assertive yet eager to please, comparing him to a large Labrador.

To manage his energetic nature—described as Tigger-like and occasionally aggressive—Bullimore turned him out with his mother this winter. "He just seems to have a little bit more respect for her," she explained, noting how Lilly Corinne's squeals keep him in check. Prior to Pau, the pair placed 10th in the eight- and nine-year-old class at Blenheim in 2024 and third in 2025, building toward future campaigns.

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