Fresh face leads at Blenheim

An 18-year-old French rider swept into the lead in the most convincing fashion on the second day of dressage at Blenheim.

Amlie Billard, making her British debut, and the 12-year-old Derby de

Longueval, who she won as a prize in a competition, were unanimously awarded first place by the three judges. Dr Gellenga of Holland awarded the partnership the highest mark, 80.00, compared to the 66.80 earned by Pippa Funnell on Viceroy II on Wednesday.

Amlie’s score of 33.6 puts her 8.4 penalties ahead of Pippa, with another 45 horses performing their tests today – including Pippa’s second ride, Jurassic Rising, who goes in the last group after the tea break.

Derby de Longueval was a three-year-old when Amlie won him and the pair have been trained throughout their career by her father, a former member of the Garde Republicain, who used to compete himself.

Two years ago Amlie and Derby De Longueval carried all before them at the Junior European Championships, winning the individual title and leading France to the team gold medal. At senior level they competed in this year’s three-star at Saumur (won by Pippa with her Walk On Star), where they completed with just one run-out on the cross-country.

Britain’s Darrell Scaife on Chase The Melody has moved into third place, 0.6 of a penalty behind Pippa, with New Zealand’s Blyth Tait on Welton Envoy another 0.2 of a penalty behind in fourth.

Results after dressage day two

1, Amlie Billard (Derby de Longueval) FRA 33.6;

2, Pippa Funnell (Viceroy II), 42.0;

3, Darrell Scaife (Chase The Melody), 42.8;

4, Blyth Tait (Welton Envoy) NZL 43.0;

5, Marcia Kulak (Horton Who) USA 43.2;

6, Emily Mackenzie (Doubtless William), 43.4;

7 Cressida Clague Reading (Volnay) 44.6;

8, Philip Dutton (Nova Top) AUS 45.6;

9, Pascal Boutet (Hethy Bey) FRA 46.8;

10, Andrew Nicholson (Duddles) NZL 47.2.

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