Biography

British-based French rider Gaspard Maksud and the mare Zaragoza achieved their first Badminton completion last year, finishing 25th. They went on to be placed seventh at Burghley, having been sixth there in 2024.

Zaragoza was bred by her owner, Jane Young, by the prolific jumping sire Cevin Z out of a thoroughbred mare, and was sent to Gaspard as a four-year-old; he has produced her through the levels, achieving consistently good results. 

They were members of the bronze medal-winning French team at the 2023 European Championships at Haras du Pin, France, where they finished eighth individually, and represented France at the 2022 world championships at Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy, finishing sixth individually.

Gaspard, who has a technical diploma in animal production, is from Laval, France. He began his eventing career in his native country, working for Olympian Cedric Lyard. He moved to England in 2013 to improve his English, first working for the Olympians (and Badminton winners) Andrew Nicholson and Sam Griffiths.

He now has his own yard near Cranleigh, Surrey and is trained by Annabel Scrimgeour. His lists his interests as golf, rugby and music.