The first events of the season are always a thrill. It doesn’t matter that top horses tend to be run slowly, in anticipation of bigger things in a few months’ time — just seeing them again gives us a buzz. Here we celebrate 12 of Britain’s best event horses jumping round Oasby last weekend (8-11 March 2018)
Don’t miss the full report and analysis in tomorrow’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (15 March 2018)
This is an image
1
of
12
Last year’s Burghley runners up Piggy French and Vanir Kamira
This is an image
2
of
12
Caroline Powell and Up Up And Away, who finished in the top 20 at Pau last year on his four-star debut
This is an image
3
of
12
Imogen Murray and Tomgar Jess, who jumped a fast cross-country clear round Blenheim CCI3* last autumn
This is an image
4
of
12
Nicholas Lucey and Proud Courage, who achieved their first four-star completion at Luhmühlen last year
This is an image
5
of
12
Oliver Townend pilots last year’s Tattersalls CIC3* runner-up MHS King Joules
This is an image
6
of
12
Oliver Townend with Cooley Master Class, who achieved two third places in Event Rider Masters classes last season
This is an image
7
of
12
Willa Newton riding Caja 20, the 2016 Blenheim eight- and nine-year-old champion
This is an image
8
of
12
Last year’s European individual bronze and team gold medallists Nicola Wilson and Bulana
This is an image
9
of
12
Imogen Gloag and Brendonhill Doublet, who were 26th at Burghley last year with a jumping clear across country
This is an image
10
of
12
Last year’s Burghley champions Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class
This is an image
11
of
12
Louise Harwood and last year’s Blair CCI2* runner-up, Balladeer Miller Man
This is an image
12
of
12
