New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson moved up from second place to win the CCI*** at the Bramham International Horse Trials yesterday afternoon on Mark Chamberlaynes Henry Tankerville, who is by Jumbo.
The course was up-to-height which I think is good for the sport it keeps the whole competition exciting, said Nicholson after jumping a clear round.
The show jumping phase did indeed prove influential, with very few competitors jumping clear. Cross-country leader Ruth Edge dropped to fourth with four fences down on Marsh Mayfly, while Sarah Cohen held second place with a clear round on Hide And Seek II.
A new name hit the top of the leaderboard when Monmouthshire-based Vicky Tuffs lowered just one fence, moving up from sixth going into the show jumping to take third place on her own mare Tudor Romance. After a couple of warm-up fences I knew she was jumping really well today, said Tuffs, who rose from 49th after dressage.
She now hopes to take Tudor Romance to Blenheim this autumn and then tackle her first Badminton next year.
Joss Gray was another British rider scoring his best ever result at this level, when he finished fifth on Nabataean Treat, holding the position he had gained with a fast cross-country round on Saturday.
Those who jumped the rare clear rounds in the show jumping were well-rewarded. Piggy French under-25 champion here in 2004 pulled up five places to finish seventh with What A Performance, who belongs to BE chairman Sir William Aldous and his wife, while Jeanette Brakewell finished eighth on Burley Wood and Andrew Downes ninth on Skwal.
Senior CCI*** results
1. Andrew Nicholson on Henry Tankerville (NZL) 57.7
2. Sarah Cohen on Hide And Seek II (GBR) 58.8
3. Vicky Tuffs on Tudor Romance (GBR) 69.6
4. Ruth Edge on Marsh Mayfly (GBR) 72
5. Joss Gray on Nabataean Treat (GBR) 73.4
