Advanced first-timers score at Wilton

Recruitment specialist Greg Dickens sealed an impressive victory for working riders to claim the advanced section at Witton Castle Horse Trials.

Greg and his 11-year-old mare Rosealier sped round the cross-country with only 8.8 time-faults to add to their dressage score of 39.7. They also scored one of the five elusive show jumping clears in this section in Rosealier’s first run at advanced level.

Narrowly missing victory were Oliver Townend and another first-time advanced horse, the 10-year-old Saxon Cross, owned by Emma Barr-Young. Rodney Powell claimed third on Brook and Sally Johnson’s new purchase, Liz Winter’s former ride Llangarth Darcy.

The open intermediate saw an impressive comeback for Nicola Tweddle, who broke her wrist in a fall at Gatcombe in August. She took the section by storm and claimed first and second place with Skiver and Opposition Buzz.

Oliver Townend had some consolation for being pipped in the advanced by taking the first of the intermediates with Waterview, ahead of Emilie Chandler and Cavaliers Knight. Ruth Edge narrowly won the other intermediate with Zakarius III, and was fifth in the advanced with Mayhem III.

Read this report in full, including analysis and pictures, plus news from Kreuth Horse Trials and a mini preview of Weston Park in this Thursday’s issue of Horse & Hound (5 October, ’06)

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