Piggy French secured her biggest success so far when taking the CCI*** at the Fidelity Investments Blenheim Horse Trials on DHI Topper W.
Second overnight to Piggy’s other horse, Lemington Lett Dance, DHI Topper W was promoted to the head of affairs when Lemington Lett Dance was withdrawn feeling a little sore.
Pippa Funnell’s third-placed Billy Landretti was also withdrawn due to lameness, so Piggy had a fence in hand over America’s Tiana Coudray (Ringwood Magister).
She hit the first part of the double, but that was good enough for the win.
“I’m so relieved – for the horse and for my team,” said Piggy. “Obviously it would have been nice to have had both horses jumping today, but I’m so proud of Topper.”
Tiana Coudray jumped clear to hold on to second, and Bettina Hoy was also faultless for third place on her dressage leader Lanfranco TSF.
Pippa Funnell climbed from 24th after dressage to eventual fourth with the eight-year-old mare Billy Shannon, while Clark Montgomery finished fifth for America with Loughan Glen.
Vittoria Panizzon had one pole down on Borough Pennyz but stayed sixth.
Results
CCI***
1. Piggy French (GBR) on DHI Topper W 47.1
2. Tiana Coudray (USA) on Ringwood Magister 49.4
3. Bettina Hoy (GER) on Lanfranco TSF 49.7
4. Pippa Funnell (GBR) on Billy Shannon 52.1
5. Clark Montgomery (USA) on Loughan Glen 53.4
6. Vittoria Panizzon (ITA) on Borough Pennyz 54.4
7. Clarke Johnstone (NZL) on Orient Express VI 55.9
8. Will Faudree (USA) on Pawlow 56.1
9. Charlotte Agnew (GBR) on Out Of Africa Two 56.3
10. William Fox-Pitt (GBR) on Gaucho 58.4
