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Allison Springer leads at Blenheim Horse Trials

Aemilia McDonnell

10 September, 2009

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America's Allison Springer and Arthur are at the top of the leader board after the first day of dressage at Blenheim Horse Trials.

Allison rerouted Arthur to Blenheim after being eliminated at Burghley for picking up three stops around the course, the last at the influential Cascade fence.

Writing on her website blog, Allison expressed disappointment at their Burghley failure, but said that Arthur "needs a ton more exposure to this kind of a competition."

The partnership were lying sixth after the first day of dressage at Blenheim last year before the weather forced the event to be cancelled. Their improved score of 36.9pen this year puts them 1.5pen ahead of second placed Emily Baldwin riding Drivetime.

A delighted Emily told H&H: "I was worried Drivetime might be naughty today after some high jinks yesterday, but he did a really good test. I was particularly pleased with his changes." Emily led the field after the first day of dressage at Badminton in the spring, but retired Drivetime on the cross-country.

Currently lying in third is Andrew Nicholson and Cruise Control with a score of 46.2, ahead of H&H blogger Alex Hua Tian in fourth with Magenta (47.4).

Looking forward to the weekend, Emily Baldwin described the cross-country course as "big and bold with some tricky combinations that might catch some riders out".

Louise Skelton will be first into the dressage arena tomorrow with Partly Pickled. Other riders to look forward to during the day include Daisy Dick and Spring Along, Pippa Funnell with Ensign and Polly Stockton riding Westwood Mariner, as well as Alex Hua Tian’s second ride, Jeans.


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