Pippa leads the way at Blenheim

Pippa Funnell and Primmore’s Pride take the lead after the dressage at Blenheim Petplan International Horse Trials

Pippa Funnell came from penultimate draw to take the dressage lead at the Blenheim Petplan International Horse Trials.Riding Denise Lincoln and Metier Consulting’s baygelding Primmore’s Pride, Pippa turned in a polished, relaxed test for a score of 39.2, despite a discrepancy of 24 marks between two of the judges.

“I’m delighted with him,” said Pippa. “He has only done this test once before and I had to work him in for a long time today as he was very excited.”

Earlier in the day, American rider Kim Vinoski and the British-bred Winsome Adante, who now lie second on 41.6, had taken over the top spot from long-time leader Andrew Nicholson who scored 42.6 on Fenicio, the horse he is “keeping ticking over” for Spanish owner Ramon Beca.

Kim is considered to be one of America’s rising stars, although she missed the Sydney Olympics due to problems with her short-listed ride. Another American rider, the British-based Ann Taylor with Cracker Barrell, is lying fourth on 45, closely followed by Polly Stockton and Tangle Man, whose fluent test gained them a mark of 45.6.