Latest from Horse & Hound in Blair-castle-horse-trials

Piggy March: ‘It’s definitely not all downhill on the way home from Blair’

Piggy March — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 09:28:31 +0000

Piggy March reflects on Blair, a charity challenge and Paris 2024

I’m writing this after making the long journey back from Defender Blair International Horse Trials – the last fixture there, which is sad, but I feel lucky we’ve been able to compete there many times. We wish the best of luck to the new Scottish fixture at Scone.

I enjoyed the fact Blair was always a cross-country competition and over the years it’s taught many to ride terrain and get a horse fit. I was very pleased with how all mine ran up the hills and coped with the undulations and mud.

Wills Oakden topped off the final event by winning the CCI4*-L on Keep It Cooley, who has also won the CCI2*-L and CCI3*-L. It made for a special send-off for locals – the cruel Scottish weather didn’t stop vast crowds turning out. Wills is such a talent and that was no mean feat.

I won’t miss the drive home from Blair as it seemed to take three hours to travel 11 miles after leaving, but it did make me realise what a big deal Cycle4Caroline, the challenge we are undertaking in memory of my husband Tom’s sister, will be. We start from Blair on 20 November and there was definitely no feeling of going downhill on the way home, sadly!

I’m excited for the challenge, as much as I’m dreading it, because I really believe in the causes we are supporting: the British Eventing Support Trust and Spinal Research. We want to encourage our sport and a life with the horses, who we all so respect and care for, but this year has brought home how fine the line can be in terms of something going wrong.

Training on a bike is more difficult than I anticipated and incredibly uncomfortable. We try to cycle a few times a week – Northamptonshire is quite hilly, so even an hour here or there has to help – and to do one long ride a week, which is currently four hours but soon needs to be six or seven. Just finding time, with 20 horses and trying to be a mum in the school holidays, is tricky.

We’ll be doing 1,100km in 10 days, with bad weather likely as it’s November. It’ll be a hard slog, but my legs do work so I have to shut up and get on with it. We’ll keep positive as it’s something we very much want to do.

Three-in-a team was exciting

I think we all missed watching the Paris Olympics when they finished. For the first time, I thought the three-in-a-team format worked and made it exciting.

I never thought I’d say that as I have concerns about the mental health of the fourth rider – it’s brutal having reserves of the calibre of Yasmin Ingham – and horse welfare, with three needing to finish – but the Japanese bronze proved a medal is possible even with a substitution. If three in a team helps keep our sport in the Olympics, that’s what we have to do.

Much as I’d love to have been involved myself as an athlete, standing back looking in, I was very proud to be British. All our teams were outstanding.

My passion is eventing, obviously, and they all did what was expected. I was wowed by the showjumpers – their courses looked enormous and the style, composure and horsemanship our guys showed was breathtaking. As for the dressage team, it was wonderful they took home a medal, particularly for Carl Hester, who is one of the best the world has ever seen and was at his seventh Olympics.

We move on to the Paralympics and the autumn three-days, starting at Defender Burghley Horse Trials this week.

It’s rare that timings allow Olympic horses also to go to Burghley, but three who did the full event in Paris also tackle Burghley and one of those, Lordships Graffalo with Ros Canter, is my pick for the title. It’s a top field, which is great for the event and the sport, and I wish them all the best.

● Did you find the three-to-a-team format in Paris exciting? Write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and country, for the chance for your letter to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

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‘He’s king of the castle’: Wills Oakden lands historic hat-trick of back-to-back wins in emotional Blair finale

Becky Murray — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 11:01:55 +0000

Wills Oakden delivered a fitting fairytale finish to the final Defender Blair Castle Horse Trials when he claimed the CCI4*-L title to complete a historic hat-trick of back-to-back wins with Keep It Cooley.

The pair won the CCI2*-L title in 2022 and the CCI3*-L in 2023, and they held their nerve to deliver their biggest victory to date.

“He’s king of the castle now, king of Blair Castle,” an emotional Wills told H&H.

“This was my late stepfather’s favourite event, and this horse, Michael, is named after him. To come and do this, three in a row, is very special.”

Wills and the nine-year-old Ramiro B gelding, who were runners-up in the Burgham CCI4*-S last month, were lying in fifth after posting a 34.8 dressage, a mark Wills described as “pretty ouch”.

But it was a heart-filled performance across country in which they produced the fastest jumping clear to add just 10.8 time-penalties and top the leaderboard going into the final phase. Seven of the 13 starters jumped clear across country, and although Alec Lochore’s track did not cause any particular problems, the less than ideal ground conditions thanks to continued rain added their own challenges.

“He was a warrior. I was just so proud of him to dig that deep,” said Wills, who took last year’s Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI4*-L title with A Class Cooley.

Dressage leaders Tom McEwen and MHS Brown Jack added 17.2 time-penalties to their 28.7 score to sit in provisional second ahead of the showjumping, with just 0.3 of a penalty separating Tom and Wills. With even more rain adding to the mix, Tom’s round began to unravel, and he had four poles and 0.8 of a time-penalty with Fred and Penny Barker’s 10-year-old gelding. This created a healthy margin for Wills and Keep It Cooley, but they only needed one of those lifelines, knocking the middle part of the triple combination, to finish with four faults and 0.4 of a time-penalty.

“We’ve been saying all week that fairytales don’t happen… we’ve been trying to keep level-headed. To go out as the last person to jump at Blair, to be a local winner, this is huge, not just for me but my whole team. I don’t think we’ll ever hear a cheer like that again, it chokes me up,” said Wills.

“Geoff and Elspeth Adam bought this horse at the beginning of this year with this dream. He’s delivered for them, and I’ve delivered, and I’m just exceptionally grateful, and hugely proud to have done it for them. They’ve been fantastic support and brilliant to have on side, they’ve been patient, they’ve trusted me, they’ve worked with me, it’s been a fantastic relationship and I’m just delighted to give them this success.”

Wills also landed the Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI2*-L title with the impressive Mile Beach, owned by Wills’ wife Stephanie and Daniel Ockenden. Wills winning the final Blair CCI2*-L provides a poignant conclusion, as Wills’ aunt Frances Hay-Smith won the first two-star long-format at Blair in 1989 with Jabba The Hutt.

Wills and Mile Beach completed the 97-strong class on their 27.6 dressage score.

“He’s a horse that we think has a massive future, and we hope that he’s a horse that’s going to progress up through levels,” said Wills of the impressive seven-year-old.

LOOKING AHEAD

As the Blair Castle story concludes, Wills said it was time to look ahead to the future at Scone Palace.

“It is the last Blair, and what a way to go out, but now I think it’s about looking forward. Blair was created by these memories and special things happening, and now it’s about the membership body getting behind Scone,” he said.

“It’s incredibly exciting, but what makes it is the atmosphere and the number of people that show up and love the place and go for it. That is the biggest part of our sport and I hope everyone gets behind it. I met the team this week and they’re super keen, they want to do it, and it’s up to us now as members.”

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Flying Scotsman’s final fling: Ian Stark jumps clear round Blair Castle three-star and provides career update

Becky Murray — Sun, 25 Aug 2024 15:01:50 +0000

Eventing legend Ian Stark heard some of the biggest cheers of the day at the final Defender Blair Castle Horse Trials when he jumped clear round the CCI3*-L cross-country – as he confirmed it will be his last time competing at three-star level.

Ian and 12-year-old gelding Chatsworth Diamond toughed it out during some testing conditions yesterday (24 August) to jump the last, fence 25 Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers Final Fling, and stop the clock with 25.2 time-penalties.

Following his round 70-year-old Ian told H&H he was “relieved it’s all over”.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous in all the years I’ve been eventing,” he said.

“I’m a little bit older than the rest and I was just hellbent on not making a cock-up. I just didn’t want to make a mess, look like a silly old fool and for people to think ‘The old git should have given up years ago’.”

Ian and “Bill” jumped one of 23 clears from the 36 cross-country starters; only two combinations made the 9min optimum time.

“Everything rode fine, but the ground was tiring. There were a few tighter turns, and when the horses have been galloping in the mud they don’t quite react the same. You have to work for it, but the combinations and distances rode well. It was just hard work,” said Ian.

“The horse is good and he’s as honest as the day is long. He lacks a bit of speed and stamina, especially in that going, but he never loses his jump. He looks for the flags and just tries his heart out. There was one of two ‘moments’; he jumped so big into the water at the top (fence 14 ABC Malcolm Group Logs & Brush Wedge) and I thought ‘I’m never going to make this turn’, and he turned and popped over the brush, he’s so genuine.”

Ian Stark had two fences down in the showjumping, to add eight faults to his two-phase score of 55.2 for 19th place. Piggy March produced one of only five showjumping clears to take the honours in the CCI3*-L with Susie Wood’s Cooley Goodwood.

Ian said he has had “some marvellous times” at Blair.

“I’ve only won once here, but I’ve had some great fun and incredible parties, the typical Scottish hospitality,” he said.

“We really owe the Duke of Atholl and his predecessor a huge amount of thanks and gratitude, they’ve given us an event since the 70s. The fact that an event is now going to Scone is phenomenal. It means we can keep a big event in Scotland, because otherwise there was going to be nothing else [at this level]. Here at Blair we’ve had an amazing time, and we’re so lucky to be here at all, never mind all these years.

“Everything evolves, everything moves on, and the farming here is changing so it’s time to move on. But we’re all sad, and we will miss it. Even when I’m not coming here, when I drive up the A9 I think ‘There’s Blair’, and I want to stop. It will be sad, but it’s been great.”

Ian Stark on stepping down

The final Blair also marks Ian’s final CCI3* competition; Ian confirmed to H&H that it would be his last at the level – and that his grandson Freddie (Robson) will possibly take on the ride of Chatsworth Diamond.

“I’ve got a six-year-old I want to keep playing with, but I’ve felt so sick all week, I’m not going to do three-star again. I’m pushing my luck at this age, I feel good, I feel fit – and I’m not knackered, which is great,” said Ian, who did a three-hour mountain bike ride round Glen Tilt on Friday.

“In 2021 Bill did the two-star here, then two years ago when we tried to do the three-star we didn’t start the dressage, and last year he got an abscess two days before the event, so I thought ‘let’s give it one more go for the three-star’.

“The Duchess of Devonshire, who bred him, and I have talked and I’m hoping Freddie is going to take him over. Freddie will be 15 in September. He wants to be a jockey but I have a feeling he might have a bit of fun on this horse, he might do a bit of Pony Club and some novice events. The poor boy, he has no idea the pressure he’s going to be under, the duchess is an easy owner, his grandfather is not!”

Ian added that Daisy Job, who works for the Starks part-time and was competing in the CCI2*-L with Ask Me Back, may also be a candidate for riding Chatsworth Diamond.

“Daisy has been keeping the horse fit for us while I’ve been in America and at Paris, and she’s been brilliant, so either Freddie or Daisy will get the ride,” he said.

But Ian is not stepping back from competing entirely.

“I’ve got a six-year-old (CCS Dance Monkey) who’s about to do his first novice. I bought him in October and he’s done a couple of BE100s. I qualified for the Blair CCI*-intro, but he and Bill are so attached, they whinny to each other the whole time like four-year-olds, so I left him at home and I’m going to take him to Allerton at the end of the season,” said Ian.

“I’ve got four three- and four-year-olds at home waiting to be backed, so I’ll play with them. I’ll keep coaching a bit in America, they’re keen to get me to sign on until 2028 as a cross-country coach but I’ll be nearly 75 by then so I’m thinking I can’t keep going on and having these wonderful times that I’m having.”

2024 is also Ian’s final year course-designing – despite a number of pleas for him to postpone retirement – but he will continue to provide advice to the team at Bramham.

“Little did I know when I left school and worked for the DHHS office for 10 years, and Jenny and I were married that two little kiddies, that it was going to take me to five Olympics, be a commentator, 20 years of stewarding in racing, course-designing at the top level, and at 70 I’m still going. I consider myself very, very lucky – and I shouldn’t push my luck,” he said.

“I’m a pretty huge believer in moving and leaving room for the young. Sometimes you feel hindered because you can’t move on or move up and I don’t want to get in people’s way, this is a young man’s sport, it’s not for old people like me. When you stop, you stop, you don’t hang around.”

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Delight as ‘world-class’ international event secured to replace Blair

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 10:11:41 +0000

A new international horse trials will be held from next year, to replace Blair Castle, and organisers promise a world-class event for “decades to come”.

H&H reported in March that the 35th Blair Castle International Horse Trials (22-25 August) would be the last. But today (21 August), it has been announced that an event running classes up to CCI4*-L will run at Scone Palace in Perthshire, just over 35 miles away from Blair.

“The first Scone Palace International Horse Trials will be held next August in the historic and picturesque parklands of Scone Palace and the adjacent Perth racecourse, offering a unique and enhanced setting for this new world-class event,” said a statement from the palace, with British Eventing (BE).

“The establishment of this equestrian competition at this iconic location reinforces Perthshire’s status as a premier destination for international sporting events and ensures the continuation of top-tier eventing in the region.”

Scone Estates CEO Brian Stevenson said the team was delighted that the palace and racecourse were to establish the new fixture.

“We are thrilled to bring a new and major event to Perthshire, highlighting the region as a premium destination for large-scale international events,” he said. “The team and I look forward to working with British Eventing to deliver another world-class event.”

The Scottish Eventing Championships were held at Scone Palace for some years from 2009; Central Scotland Horse Trials started there in 1950 and returned to the palace in 1991 having run at other venues.

William, Viscount Stormont of Scone Palace, added: “Perth racecourse and the parkland at Scone Palace are a fantastic setting for this new international event. The parkland has a long history of hosting eventing competitions, and we know that many Scottish equestrians have fond memories of eventing here. We are delighted to build on the legacy of Blair Castle and bring a new event to new generations for decades to come.

“Equally, we are pleased to introduce the facilities at Perth racecourse to a new international event and to deploy the team to produce a best-in-class eventing surface. We must also acknowledge the Troughton family and everyone at Blair Castle for delivering 35 years of world-class eventing, and we wish them all the best for the final horse trials at Blair Castle.”

The statement said organisers hope the partnership with Perth racecourse will “offer enhanced facilities and an unparalleled setting, ensuring the event’s continued success and growth in its new home”.

Matthew Taylor, director of racing at Perth racecourse, said: “We are delighted to be taking on the honour of running the new Scone Palace International Horse Trials at the parkland at Scone Palace and Perth racecourse. The team at Blair Atholl has done a wonderful job over the past 35 years of hosting such a coveted event in the equestrian calendar. We cannot wait for the opportunity to begin our own new chapter and deliver what we are confident will be Scotland’s leading equestrian event.

“The grounds teams between both the Scone Palace team and Perth racecourse team have a vast amount of experience and machinery to provide a world-class surface for next August.”

The palace will also host the Scottish grassroots championship with more national and international classes incorporated. BE and Scone Palace are “actively working on the schedule and further details will be released when available”.

BE CEO Rosie Williams, said: “We are thrilled to announce that Scone Palace will establish a new and exciting fixture within the British Eventing calendar. We couldn’t have hoped for a better venue. The BE team and the team at Scone will be working tirelessly over the coming months to ensure everything is ready for next year’s event. It’s fitting that the final event at Blair will be a celebration of its many years of success. We now look forward to Scone carrying on this proud tradition.”

Scone Palace International Horse Trials will run from 21-24 August 2025.

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‘Nothing for riders to aspire to’: loss of Blair Castle and other eventing concerns come under discussion

Becky Murray — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 21:02:41 +0000

The cancellation of Blair Castle was a major talking point at the British Eventing (BE) Scotland AGM on 20 March – as concerns continue for the sport in Scotland.

H&H reported this week that Blair Castle Horse Trials had announced that this year’s event will be the last. A Blair Castle statement said the land on which the event is held “is increasing its involvement in regenerative agriculture and in future the land will require to be managed all year round in a way that is in accordance with its environmental aims”.

The event, which is host to international eventing from CCI* to CCI4*-L, the Scottish Grassroots Eventing Championships, showing and British Showjumping classes, will run for the 35th and final time on 22–25 August. The news comes just weeks after it was announced that the Festival of British Eventing has been cancelled for 2024, owing to viability issues.

Discussing Blair’s cancellation at the AGM, it was agreed that this was “not a BE problem” but an eventing problem.

Blair event director Alec Lochore said that land management and farming is changing UK-wide.

“Now that the farm subsidies are changing, and the way that farmers use the land, I think that is a challenge for everybody; farmers, landowners, and therefore the sport,” he said.

“I tried on a couple of occasions to make a claim for the sport to continue [at Blair] and it is with regret that there is a line in the sand.”

It was discussed whether a new Scottish venue could be found to “replicate the Blair experience”, and Alec said there is “not a yes or no answer”.

“It’s a case of, let’s explore that if that opportunity comes up. Blair is a huge event, and to transpose it straight onto another event is a fantastic notion, but let’s see if that’s even possible by finding a venue in the first instance. There would be the requirement for quite a considerable amount of investment because there is so much infrastructure now at Blair, which one takes for granted,” he said.

BE chief executive Rosie Williams agreed with Alec and said it is “a nigh-on impossible thing to transport something with 35 years of history and just put it somewhere else”.

“Those things don’t ever really work, so we’ve got to get our heads together and make sure we can find that iconic event that is right for Scotland,” she said. “We’ve got to make these events viable for landowners to be able to say, ‘It’s worth me holding a horse trials’ and not necessarily heading down an agricultural route.”

Ms Williams added that BE’s immediate focus will be trying to “increase the amount of good-quality events that are relevant to the Scottish membership” – and finding a replacement for the Scottish Grassroots Eventing Championships. BE is also training more coaches in the region to help “develop the talent”.

Other discussions included the limited number of events, and that there is no current Scottish representation on the BE fixtures committee. Concerns were also raised that Scotland does not hold any classes at intermediate or above – and those who have a BE premier membership pay the same price as riders in England, but for less opportunity.

Ms Williams acknowledged frustrations, but highlighted some of the challenges including event viability and entries for upper-level classes. Of Scotland’s 700 members, 575 are grassroots, and Ms Williams said it would be “irresponsible” to put on intermediate classes with limited numbers of horses to run in them.

This was met with response from the AGM attendees that how can BE expect to grow the Scottish membership, if there is “nothing for riders to aspire to” – and that decisions to run upper-level classes in Scotland and northern England should be based on figures across Britain, not just Scottish numbers.

Ms Williams said BE is “not shying away from the fact we need to do something”, and reiterated that there will be a full fixtures review, that will undergo public consultation, plus a governance and membership categorisation review.

The meeting concluded with a presentation to outgoing BE Scotland chairman John White. Recruitment will begin for his replacement.

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Another major fixture lost from eventing calendar: ‘End of an era’

Pippa Roome — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 12:35:47 +0000

Blair Castle Horse Trials will not run again after this year, with 2024 its final fixture.

A statement from the event said that the farmland where it is held “is increasing its involvement in regenerative agriculture and in future the land will require to be managed all year round in a way that is in accordance with its environmental aims”.

This year’s 35th anniversary event will go ahead as planned as the final Blair Castle Horse Trials, in a farewell celebration.

Blair hosts international eventing classes from CCI* up to CCI4*-L level, as well as the Scottish Grassroots Eventing Festival. The horse trials is run alongside a British Showjumping show and a country fair with showing classes, numerous tradestands and visitor attractions.

The news about Blair comes as a significant blow to the eventing community, weeks after the announcement that the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe will not run this year and may well not return to the calendar.

Blair event director Alec Lochore said: “This event became a phenomenal international success and has had unstinting support from the Blair Castle team.

“Of course, it is the end of an era for everyone involved – sponsors, competitors, volunteers, spectators and many more – and we are determined to sign off with a tremendous celebration at this year’s event in August.

“At this stage it is too early to say what the future holds. There are a significant number of equestrian bodies involved and discussions to explore options will have to take place.

“The equestrian community is extremely grateful to the Blair Castle team for its outstanding commitment over so many years.”

Bertie Troughton, resident trustee of Blair Castle, said: “It has been a great pleasure and privilege being at the centre of Scottish equestrianism for so many years. We are bowing out after this year with huge gratitude to everyone who made the event so special. We are looking forward to hosting a fantastic event later this year which will be a fitting tribute to hosting the event for 35 years.”

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

‘Battered and bruised’ five-star rider likely to miss rest of season

Becky Murray — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 17:13:49 +0000

Irish five-star eventer Susie Berry expects to miss the rest of the season as she recovers from broken ribs sustained in a cross-country fall.

Susie was taken to hospital last Saturday (26 August) following a fall with eight-year-old gelding Jesmond Renard in the Blair Castle CCI3*-L. The ride was Susie’s third of the day; she had jumped clear in the the same class on 10-year-old mare Irene Leva, and in the CCI2*-L with nine-year-old mare Coridale Ziggy. Susie was fifth in the Blair CCI4*-L last year with Kilcandra Capitol.

Susie’s team thanked everyone for their support, and said she was recovering locally. Jesmond Renard, known as Foxy, was not injured in the fall and was walked back to his stable.

In an update yesterday (3 September) Susie said she is now home in Northamptonshire – and that it “was good to be back in time to watch everyone at Defender Burghley Horse Trials”.

Susie, who was part of the Irish team at the European Eventing Championships last month, finishing fourth and 16th individually, said she had a “few massive thank yous” to make.

“The medics at Blair, Ninewells Hospital and the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh to start with. Plus everyone who’s jumped in to help; owners, my amazing girls, parents, Max (Warburton), everyone who’s sent get well soon messages and so many more,” she said.

“It really means a lot.”

Susie added that she is “quite battered and bruised”.

“I’ve broken a lot of ribs which means I’ll likely miss the rest of the season, but I feel incredibly lucky to be feeling as good as I do and will be back fighting in no time,” she said.

“And so relieved that Foxy walked away 100%.”

Five-star rider taken to hospital following cross-country fall

Becky Murray — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 13:40:24 +0000

Irish team event rider Susie Berry is recovering after a cross-country fall at Defender Blair Castle Horse Trials.

Susie was riding eight-year-old gelding Jesmond Renard in the CCI3*-L when the pair fell at fence 18abc, the Malcolm Group Corners, on Saturday (26 August). The ride was Susie’s third of the day, having jumped clear in the same class on 10-year-old mare Irene Leva, and in the CCI2*-L with nine-year-old mare Coridale Ziggy.

A Blair Castle spokesman said Susie was immediately attended to onsite by medical professionals, before she was taken to hospital. Jesmond Renard was not injured in the fall.

A spokesman for Susie thanked everyone for all the messages of support and concern.

“Susie would like to say a huge thank you to the event officials and medics who were very quick in their response and who take great care of her onsite. She is now feeling much better and is recovering locally,” he said.

“Foxy (Jesmond Renard) walked away from the fall unscathed and was happily eating back in his stable, being well cared for by Crisy (Salmon, Susie’s groom). ”

The spokesman added it “wasn’t the end to the trip the team had hoped for” – and that Susie is now taking time to rest.

“Twiggy and Eva had both jumped incredible rounds in the CCI2-L and CCI3-L, both flying up the leaderboards. Susie is just sad she was unable to complete with them,” he said.

“Once again many thanks for all of the support – especially to owners, family and friends who had travelled to Scotland to watch and help.”

Earlier this month Susie was part of the Irish team at the European Eventing Championships in Haras Du Pin with 11-year-old mare Clever Trick, alongside Sarah and Grantstown Jackson, Felicity Ward and Regal Bounty, and Joseph Murphy and Calmaro. The team finished fourth and Susie was 16th individually.

‘We’re going white water rafting’: Ros Canter’s unique preparations for Blair Castle cross-country

Becky Murray — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 12:00:33 +0000

European eventing champion Ros Canter holds the top two places in the Defender Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI4*-S results after the showjumping – and will swap one extreme sport for another as she spends the afternoon white water rafting.

This morning (26 August) Ros produced a textbook clear showjumping round on her own and Alex Moody’s 10-year-old gelding Izilot DHI to remain on their 24.8 dressage, ahead of the final cross-country phase tomorrow (27 August).

“He was really settled in the dressage. It wasn’t raining at the time but it had been quite wet and there was lots of spooky umbrellas and things out, but he was really rideable. One of our changes wasn’t how I would have wanted it, but other than that he was really good,” Ros told H&H.

“In the showjumping he was lovely, he’s been a really good boy. He’s quite a sharp, spooky horse but he’s come out really level [headed] after the dressage yesterday so I’m really pleased.”

Ros holds the second spot on Christopher and Jane Makin’s 12-year-old gelding Rehy Royal Diamond, and is fifth with Lady Milnes Coates and Deidre Johnston’s 10-year-old gelding MHS Seventeen. Libby Seed is currently in third in the Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI4*-S results with her and her parents’ 12-year-old mare Heartbreaker Star Quality.

“Rehy Royal Diamond has been super,” said Ros. “He’s had quite a quiet year but he’s feeling on great form. He’s often been quite a hot-headed horse but he was settled in the dressage, and today he jumped really nicely.”

Continuing the theme of the 2023 British summer, the rain arrived in the opening few days of Blair, as thoughts turn to the ground ahead of the CCI4*-S cross-country.

“The ground held up well in the showjumping. We’re not going cross-country until tomorrow morning so I’m going to go and walk the course now but I try not to get too involved in things like the going too early, there’s no point worrying about things you can’t particularly control,” said Ros.

The European champion has decided on a rather unique way of “preparing” for the final cross-country phase.

“I have the rest of the day off which is quite nice,” said Ros “Me, Caroline Moore and a couple of others are going white water rafting this afternoon. I’ve done it a couple of times, and Caroline is up for doing lots of adventure activities at the moment so when we saw that I would be showjumping early we thought it was an ideal opportunity!”

£700 former racehorse who ran 25 times storms into four-star lead

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 10:49:57 +0000

A £700 former racehorse who was bought to sell five years ago has shot into the lead in the CCI4*L at the Defender Blair Castle International Horse Trials.

Italian Roberto Scalisi and 13-year-old Alamein scored 29.1 to top the first day of dressage yesterday (24 August). Max Warburton and Monbeg Exclusive scored 30.4 to sit in second overnight.

“I can’t believe it,” Roberto said. “He did a 29 in our first four-star and you go off and have dressage lessons to try to improve that but I’ve been stuck in the low 30s ever since – which is fab, but I’ve not been able to break the 30s barrier again.

“He felt really good in there and deserved his score. This is his sixth year eventing – he’s an ex-racehorse who raced 25 times. I bought him for £700 to produce and sell over the winter – five years later he’s still here. The more I trained him, the better he got and he’s taken me round several four-stars, giving me experience at this level.”

It is Roberto’s first visit to Blair, which is running six international classes this weekend.

“I can’t wait to get out on those hills,” he said. “It can rain more as far as I’m concerned, I’m on a thoroughbred!”

Ten of the CCI4*S combinations performed their tests yesterday; Ros Canter and Rehy Royal Diamond were in the lead of these. The remaining competitors take to the arena from 12.30pm today.

George Bartlett and Conpierre lead the CCI3*L, ahead of Amelia Leeming on Overis Cavalier.

“I knew he had a performance like that in him,” said George. “He’s a little dude; a dobbin to lead around but he can be spooky and sharp to ride. He doesn’t try to drop you, but he likes to have a good time. Having got him super-fit I was a bit worried about the dressage but we managed to just about hold it together.”

The Horse & Hound Podcast 118: Blair Castle Horse Trials & BSPS Championships review

Gemma Redrup — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 05:45:51 +0000

Our 118th weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast starts off by looking back at Blair Castle Horse Trials. H&H’s Pippa Roome is joined by H&H colleague Becky Murray, who was up at the event in Scotland, to review all of the action. Pippa is then joined by H&H’s showing editor Alex Robinson to hear all about what happened at last week’s BSPS Championships and to find out more about who the big winners were. We hope you will enjoy listening.

Episode 118 of The Horse & Hound Podcast, our popular audio service, which is available every Thursday morning for our H&H digital subscribers, is now live.

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View all episodes of The Horse & Hound Podcast

Our 118th weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast starts off by looking back at Blair Castle Horse Trials. H&H’s Pippa Roome is joined by H&H colleague Becky Murray, who was up at the event in Scotland, to review all of the action.

“It’s a huge event on the Scottish calendar and the calibre of horses and riders we see competing up there speaks for itself on how much riders rate it” – H&H’s Becky Murray

Pippa is then joined by H&H’s showing editor Alex Robinson to hear all about what happened at last week’s BSPS Championships and to find out more about who the big winners were.

“The biggest feast for the eyes is the Desert Orchid working hunter pony competition, which is known for being like the Hickstead Derby for ponies, because of all the challenges they face to become champion” – H&H’s Alex Robinson

We would love to hear your feedback on our new “summer of sport” podcast series, so please do send your thoughts to pippa.roome@futurenet.com

Horse & Hound Podcast: episode 118

Listen now to other recent episodes of The Horse & Hound Podcast…

(Image credit: Hannah Cole Photography)

The Horse & Hound Podcast 117: Andrew Nicholson | Burghley preview

(Image credit: Hannah Cole Photography)

The Horse & Hound Podcast 116: World Championships review and BSPS Championships preview

(Image credit: Hannah Cole Photography)

The Horse & Hound Podcast 115: World Dressage Championships & Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe review

(Image credit: Hannah Cole Photography)

The Horse & Hound Podcast 114: Royal International Horse Show review

(Image credit: Hannah Cole Photography)

‘He is a horse we have a lot of belief in’: top rider scores home soil win in Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI2*-L

Becky Murray — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 21:55:43 +0000

Wills Oakden delivered a textbook clear showjumping round on Keep It Cooley for a home soil win in the Land Rover Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI2*-L.

The final phase of today’s (28 August) competition caused a major shakeup to the leaderboard – and a clear round was crucial. Wills kept the pressure on overnight leader Lucinda Atkinson when he and his wife Stephanie’s seven-year-old Ramiro B gelding “Michael” cruised round the track within the time, to finish on their 28.3 dressage.

“He’s always been a careful jumper and the plan was to go in there and put the pressure on, and he did. He is a horse we have a lot of belief in and a horse that we absolutely love,” Wills told H&H after his brilliant round.

“We came here wanting to be super competitive – without saying we were going to come and win because you never know – but we wanted to be as close as we possibly could and he’s proven what a good talent he is. Hopefully it will continue to shine through as he goes up through the grades.”

Will – who was also third in the CCI3*-L with Cooley Pot Of Gold – said Michael had learned plenty during his first ever two-star long.

“It’s been a brilliant experience, that’s why he’s here. He came here to gallop up and down the hills and to learn all about that kind of thing,” he said.

“The crowds here, you can’t replicate the atmosphere anywhere else in Scotland so it’s been a valuable experience for him, and the win was a bonus. There’s no backdrop like it here, it feels like the end of season festival. The event means a lot to a lot of people; not just riders, but volunteers, spectators, everyone. To win on home soil is very special.”

Pippa Reynold’s Twice Proved looked a little on the exuberant side as they navigated the course and took down the wavy planks at fence eight, which dropped them into fifth place on 32.2. Italy’s Vittoria Panizzon, who was in third with Dido Darling’s Irish Jig III, also had a pole to drop them into seventh on 33.2.

The Netherlands’ Nina De Haas finished on her 29.9 dressage score for second place with Martin and Kerry Richard’s seven-year-old JVK Mr Maguire. Harrison Colling jumped clear for third on his own seven-year-old gelding Trevi Fountain. Blair Castle Horse Trials marked both combination’s first two-star long.

Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI1*-Intro

The CCI1*-Intro classes were once again popular among competitors, drawing in riders from across the country. Section E featured 86 combinations and section F had 98. Both sections ran the showjumping phase on Saturday (27 August). Section E’s cross-country took place on the same day, and section F’s took place today (28 August).

Amelia England was crowned winner of section E with her own 13-year-old mare Eluna. The pair produced a 29 dressage and added just 1.6 time-penalties across country. Hannah Pearce and her own Valdoctro was second on 31.2. Louisa Milne Home was third with Angela Hamtilon’s Carneyhaugh Harmony on 33.2.

Eluna is a relatively new ride for 18-year-old Amelia and was formerly campaigned by Wills Oakden to two-star.

“The win has not sunk in yet,” she told H&H.

“I got her during my A levels and got on with her straight away. She loves what she does which makes my life a lot easier. She likes to sparkle!”

Amelia, who has ridden a couple of novice tracks with Eluna, said the cross-country rode “really nicely”.

“Everything I asked her to do she did perfectly. Her ears were pricked the whole way, looking for the next jump. I was looking for the clear and I was over the moon with her,” she said.

Maia Fleming won section F with her own Candyman Leanorth at the pair’s first ever one-star.

Maia told H&H it had not been a smooth run up to Blair after she had a fall from the striking 18hh gelding at the water fence at the Bishop Burton International Youth Championships earlier this month – but this weekend could not have gone better for the pair.

“It was a really good and massive experience,” an over the moon Maia told H&H.

“The water here is very familiar to what it was when I had the fall and he gave me so much confidence going over it today. I couldn’t ask for a better horse. He came out of that box flying.”

Elizabeth Jelfs and her own Stonehavens Cloud finished on their 31.5 dressage for second. Emma Wake finished on her 32.2 dressage for third with her own Chrissi.

‘You’ve got to enjoy these moments’ : Tom McEwen reigns victorious in Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI4-L and CCI3-L

Becky Murray — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 17:42:04 +0000

Tom McEwen has done the double at Land Rover Blair Castle Horse Trials as he took the crown in the CCI4*-L with Luna Mist and the CCI3*-L on Brookfield Cavalier Cruise.

Tom and nine-year-old Luna Mist produced one of only two jumping clears in the final showjumping phase, adding just 0.4 of a time-penalty to complete their weekend on 32.3. Oliver Townend produced the other clear round to finish second on eight-year-old Cooley Rosalent. Nini French and Time For Harry knocked the first part of the double at fence seven and had 2.4 time-penalties, but held on to third place and finished on 54.8.

Diane Johnson’s track was full of big square oxers and a treble combination at fence five, plus an oxer on three strides to a vertical and two strides to another upright, proved costly for many. Time was influential once again and while all the horses looked full of running, the tight rollbacks caused six of the 10 horse and rider combinations that came forward to the showjumping phase to have time-faults.

“As everyone can see, what a horse. She just popped round it – she made it look like nothing,” Tom told H&H after his win.

Tom said the course felt “quite easy” with Martin Belsham’s talented mare but he said it was a “proper track”.

“Although it was a small field in a four-star long, to me it’s no different to sort of a Bramham. You learn a lot about your horse and they built a proper decent, very much up-to-height showjumping track, so I found out she was unbelievable really,” he said.

Oliver, who was second in the CCI4*-S earlier in the day with As Is, had to settle for second on Paul Ridgeon’s Cooley Rosalent but he was thrilled with the mare.

“She’s a top class mare and she’s never felt as good, never felt as spectacular and she doesn’t know she’s not won the class,” Oliver told H&H.

“Most importantly she’s had a very good experience and proved to me she’s as good as I think she is in all three bits and she’ll have a very exciting future. This is just a good result, but no one will remember who was second at Blair – you won’t remember her for that. She’s as good as I’ve had in a mare and right up there with all the horses.”

Oliver said Cooley Rosalent will now enjoy a break and come out again next year.

“We’ll see how we go and maybe she’ll have a five-star at some point. It’s more important to keep her happy and good, but for me the performance this week means there is nothing to say she shouldn’t go to a five-star,” he said.

Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI3*-L

Earlier in the day Tom expertly piloted Brookfield Cavalier Cruise in the CCI3*-L showjumping to finish on his phenomenal 22.9 dressage – winning with two fences to spare.

“You’ve got to enjoy these moments and understand, without moving too quickly, what amazing horses and what amazing achievements both long horses have had. It’s phenomenal,” said Tom.

Tom McEwen pictured on Brookfield Cavalier Cruise on their way to victory in the Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI3*-L. Picture by Hannah Cole Photography (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“They’re two different horses; Brookfield Cavalier Cruise [Fletcher] takes everything in his stride and Luna Mist [Luna] is a true gritty fighter. They’re both amazing but both very different. Luna has fight down to her core and Fletcher literally could take anything in his stride – I’m sure he could be a police horse or he could be winning Badminton. He’s the most fantastic natured horse and I’m very much looking forward to getting to know him more.

Alison Swinburn, John and Chloe Perry’s nine-year-old gelding has proved untouchable in his first ever three-star long.

“I thought the three-star was twisty and it sort of changed from a little bit smaller to very big and square so it was a good track,” said Tom.

Sam Ecroyd was second with his mother Penelope’s Withington and finished on 31. Wills Oakden was third with his wife Stephanie’s Cooley Pot Of Gold.

“I’ve always really enjoyed jumping here at Blair,” Sam told H&H. “I’ve had good rounds every time I’ve come. It feels like a big competition when you’re in there. They build it big but it’s very fair. I think the amount of clears to fault ratio that they had today was very good, it’s sort of what you’re after. It rode well, like a proper international track.”

Sam said the 11-year-old gelding has been a “tricky enough” horse to produce.

“He’s always had loads of ability. He’s perfectly behaved but it’s just been getting everything aligning in the right direction, his concentration with all his power and ability – he found it hard to control all that,” he said, adding Withington had done “basically nothing” for three years owing to Covid and then Sam being out of action last year as he recovered from a rotational fall in which he suffered multiple injuries.

“He’s probably one of my favourite horses I’ve ever ridden, not just the quality he has, but in his personality. He’s quite a funny fish. He’s great, I really love him and it’s just a pleasure to ride him. He’s really good in all three phases. My plan is to give him a really good break, bring him back in the winter and get him really fit and strong for a proper four-star campaign next year.”

‘This horse is an expert here’: comeback king earns fairytale ending in Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI4*-S

Becky Murray — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 14:19:40 +0000

It was a fairytale ending for Frenchman Astier Nicolas and his comeback king Babylon De Gamma as they reclaimed their Land Rover Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI4*-S crown.

Astier and the 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding jumped clear and were one of only two combinations inside the 6.45min time allowance. They finished the competition on a score of 27.2, having just picked up 1.2 time-penalties in the showjumping phase yesterday (27 August) to add to their 26.0 dressage.

Babylon De Gamma spent almost a year out after recovering from hoof surgery and Blair Castle Horse Trials marks his first major competition return. The combination are no strangers to the event, having won the CCI4*-S in 2019. They were also second in 2021.

“This horse is an expert here,” Astier told H&H, who added his round was “very good” despite questioning yesterday how Babylon De Gamma would cope with the hills in his first international competition since his return.

“He’s only done an intermediate event in preparation and I’m surprised by his fitness. He’s done very good and I couldn’t ask for more. It’s great to find him back at this level and see what he’s got in his guts. He’s been training but nothing replaces a good course.”

The course produced notable problems with a number of falls, run-outs and retirements as riders tackled the 32 jumping efforts. The two big combinations at fence 4 (British Eventing Support Trust Parallels) and 7AB (Defender Log & Brush Parallel) asked tough questions right from the off.

Competitors then made their way up the hill to tackle another two combinations; fence 9AB (Table & Corner), fence 12ABC (Taiga Upland Arrowhead, Step & Well) before going back down the hill. They faced another combination at 18ABC (Defender Hanging Log & Arrowheads), and the third last fence, 20ABC (Defender Seal & Angled Brushes) left absolutely no room for error and really tested what the horses had left in the tank.

“It’s a meaty course. There’s enough to do,” said Astier.

“At the bottom it’s combination, combination, turning, going up the hill. When you reach the top you’ve got a very serious, if not the most serious, combination (12ABC). It just never gives the horses a break. That’s why it’s caused trouble – it’s intense like many four-stars, but obviously with the hills it’s more testing.”

Oliver Townend had previously said he would not run Sir John Peace’s As Is owing to the gelding being aimed at Burghley (1-4 September), however in a change of plan the pair ran across country and finished clear inside the time to take second on 30.2.

He was also 13th with his Tokyo partner Ballaghmor Class (owned by Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan) after they jumped clear – but as the pair were not chasing the clock they picked up 23.2 time-penalties. The pair are making their final preparations for the World Eventing Championships next month in Pratoni, Italy.

Oliver had already confirmed Hazeldines & Mitchell Fox Group’s Tregilder would not take part in the cross-country phase and be saved for Burghley, and he also did not run Diana and Paul Ridgeon’s Swallow Springs. Oliver was unseated from Sir John Peace and Charlotte Cole’s Crazy Du Loir at fence 12 part C, the water combination.

Tom McEwen was third on Alison Swinburn and John and Chloe’s 13-year-old gelding Brookfield Quality. The pair jumped clear but had 6.4 time-penalties to finish on 34.6

Tom described the round on Brookfield Quality – who was formerly a ride of Piggy March until July when Tom took over – as a “fact-finding mission”.

“Riding a horse that’s been ridden by probably the best rider in the world is quite tricky to follow. Pig’s has been really helpful. I’m just getting to know him really. He’s got this big jump that kind of hangs in there and I’ve got to find my balance with him, and it’s about finding the flow of the round. He’s a heck of a character and he was super,” he told H&H.

“If I went round again now I’d tweak a few things but that was what today was all about; let him run and try and find our partnership really. At the top water [fence 12ABC] it was a six or a five [stride]. I would 100% go on five next time. I thought I’d pop the oxer so I thought I had the six, but the five was definitely there. The final combination [20ABC] was fine but I’d probably do it on three and two next time. He’s a great jumper so you can trust the flow. The more rhythm you have, obviously the faster you are.”

Discussing course-designer Alec Lochore’s track, Tom said there were “plenty of questions”.

“It’s a proper track and you have the terrain as well. For the last few years I think a lot of us haven’t really been riding proper tracks and people have come here to find a few things out. There’s no real easy way out where things are difficult – they are difficult and you’ve got to try it. Nothing here is impossible but still there’s plenty to be done. There’s lots of combinations, that if you get away with a few things early on, tend to catch you out a little bit later,” he said.

“I’m having a great weekend so I’m obviously going to be positive about it, but I think to get the right horse and rider combinations at Badmintons and Burghleys, this is the way it needs to be. It’s probably more of a four-star plus if I’m really honest.”

Tom McEwen currently leads the Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI3-L with Brookfield Cavalier Cruise and the CCI4-L with Luna Mist ahead of the final showjumping phase today.

Tom McEwen dazzles in Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI4-L cross-country with future ‘five-star’ mare – and maintains CCI3-L lead

Becky Murray — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 19:01:17 +0000

It was a good day across country for Tom McEwen as he climbed to the top of the Land Rover Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI4*-L leaderboard with Luna Mist – and held his superb lead in the CCI3*-L with Brookfield Cavalier Cruise.

Time was a major factor in the CCI4*-L, with none of the 14 combinations going inside the 10.07 allowance. Tom added two time-penalties to his 29.9 dressage and goes into the final showjumping phase with Martin Belsham’s Luna Mist on 31.9.

“She was brilliant,” Tom told H&H.

“She won the British intermediate championship last time out and she was super smooth round there, but she’s a feisty little mare and it just made her a little keen today. It’s took me until about eight minutes to settle her down, which probably cost us the two seconds.”

The course asked lots of questions with two water combinations; 9ABC (Land Rover Log, Brush Parallel and Corner) and 15ABC (Taiga Upland Arrowhead, Step & Well), a narrow “seal” at fence 22 and a big parallel at 17. Overnight leaders Oliver Townend and Cooley Rosalent activated the MIM clip at fence 15c (Taiga Upland Arrowhead, Step and Well) to add 11 penalties and 1.2 time-penalties to their 29.4 dressage.

“I know even though Luna Mist has a big stride, if it’s a big oxer early on she’s going to probably have the extra distance, which she did at fence 4AB (British Event Support Trust Parallels). Everywhere else she was nice and keen, she was actually wanting to go a bit too free,” said Tom.

“It was a proper good track. There’s enough people at the bottom but up the top it’s absolutely covered! It’s fantastic for Blair to have so many entries and supporters. The ground is amazing this year, but it always is very good. It shows what a show it is and for the development of these horses, it’s a proper four-star test for them – there’s plenty to do.”

Looking ahead to the future, Tom was in no doubt about the mare’s potential.

“She’s a proper five-star horse,” he said.

Oliver Townend and Paul Ridgeon’s Cooley Rosalent slipped into second place and go into the showjumping on 41.6 – meaning Tom has two fences in hand. Nini French, Piggy March’s sister, is in third overnight with her own Time For Harry.

Oliver told H&H the mare, by the stallion Valent, “more than ticked the boxes”.

“She’s eight years old and she’s gone round there. She’s a natural athlete, with loads of blood. She wants to do it. She’s beautiful to look at and she’s been beautiful to produce,” he said.

“I thought it was a beautiful track; the first water (fence 9ABC) rode a little more physical than what you would expect in terms of the distances. They didn’t ride like they walked but at the same time it was a fair, big question.

“It rode like a proper course, you had to work and it’s a great place to bring one to find out what you’ve got. You can bring one here thinking you’ve got a superstar and leave knowing you’ve not – and that’s exactly what a four-star long should be. I think if everyone brought their horses here instead of going to different venues you’d see a lot less car crashes when they get to five-star.”

Oliver and Cooley Rosalent were the fastest combination on track and he said the time allowance was “how it should be” at this level.

“The time should be difficult to get because we’re about to go for another minute longer at a Badminton or Burghley,” he said.

“There’s no point going round a flat track on firm ground being seven seconds inside the time thinking you’re amazing and ready for [the step up to] Burghley.”

The CCI4*-L was not the only class Oliver activated a MIM clip; he picked up 11 penalties at fence six on Dolmen Debenture in the CCI2*-L and at the same fence on Cooley And Co in the the CCI3*-L.

Reflecting on MIM clips, Oliver said riders are “not against” them being used for safety, but he does not agree with riders being penalised for activating them.

“There isn’t a top professional rider in the world that isn’t against the 11 penalties for a horse doing its job correctly,” he said.

Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI3*-L

Tom finished three seconds inside the time of the CCI3*-L with Alison Swinburn, and John and Chloe Perry’s Brookfield Cavalier Cruise and remains on his phenomenal 22.9 dressage as he goes into the final showjumping phase tomorrow.

Tom has two fences in hand, with Max Burton lying second overnight with the Paske Syndicate’s Deerpair Revelry on 31.0. Sam Ecroyd is in provisional third with his mother Penelope’s Withington – also on 31 after a clear jumping but picking up 2.4 time-penalties.

Brookfield Cavalier Cruise demonstrated his class in what was his first three-star long competition.

“It‘s his first long, and it’s a proper long. You’ve got the hills which definitely adds a fence or two compared to other three-star longs,” Tom said.

The course did not cause too many problems, with 70% of the 50-strong field jumping clear. The time did however once again prove influential, with only nine combinations finishing within the 9.38 allowance.

“I took it nice and within rhythm to begin with. I just made sure – as you have to at Blair – that you have enough in the tank for the end. To be honest Brookfield Cavalier Cruise found it super easy, which is the whole idea of the game,” said Tom.

“This is probably the first time I’ve properly gone fast [with him]. I’ve been waiting for the good ground and thanks to Blair we got perfect going and green grass, which we haven’t had for about four months. So it was the first time I asked him to open and he really said yes.

“We know he can do it because you can feel it and he’s got the mentality and way of going about him to do it so it was never a question – it was just whether he could do it for six minutes at the moment or the full nine-and-a-half. I’m really pleased and it will do him a lot of good moving forward because he’s definitely one for the future.”

The Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI3-L and CCI4-L concludes after the showjumping phase tomorrow (28 August).

‘Sassy, but professional’ mare delivers in Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI2*-L cross-country

Becky Murray — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 16:35:58 +0000

Lucinda Atkinson flew home four seconds inside the time to take the lead of the Land Rover Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI2*-L on the “sassy” six-year-old mare Twice Proved.

The track marked the first two-star long format for Pippa Reynold’s Twice Proved, known at home as “Missy”.

“She’s never gone as long as that, bless her she dug deep,” Lucinda told H&H.

“She kept galloping but she was slowing up – a horse was coming back from the corner at the top and after going up the hill she kind of thought ‘Oh I’m finished’ and I had to say ‘No come on’.”

Northallerton-based Lucinda explained she was initially down on the time, but caught up as she made her way round the 30 jumping efforts. The course asked plenty of questions, with the combination at six (Voltaire Design Rail & Ditch Complex) proving influential; three riders fell and four combinations activated the MIM clip.

Fence 11ab (World Horse Welfare Gate and Corner) also caused issues for some and Lucinda said it was easy for horses to lose concentration after coming up the steep hill.

“You had to do a tight turn and be accurate for the gate then turn for the corner. I had a bit of a flat horse there so I think I added [strides]. I had to say ‘Come on, come on’. Luckily she just kept jumping for me,” she said.

“She was going a little bit green on me at some of the combinations and I had to encourage her to go over them, but it’s a big ask. There’s plenty of things for six-year-olds out there. Last year I was second and fourth (with KGB Sandro and Dancing Revolution) in the two-star and they were a bit older and went round very easy in the time, but they were bigger stronger horses.”

Lucinda sourced Missy for her owner Pippa three years ago at the Gorebridge sales, and the plan is Pippa will event her in the future.

“We’re having a bit of fun with her at the moment,” she said. “Yesterday she did an amazing test – she did absolutely nothing wrong.

“She’s sassy, but professional. She’s a real little pro –she rises to the occasion. She’s not the biggest, and not the flashiest mover, but hopefully she’s an exciting one for the future.”

Wills Oakden lies in second overnight with Keep It Cooley after posting a stylish clear inside the time to remain on their 28.3 dressage – only 0.1 behind Lucinda. Italy’s Vittoria Panizzon has moved up to provisional third on Irish Jig III.

“He’s a horse we have a lot of belief in,” Wills told H&H. “He’s really shown a lot of promise today so we’re very excited about him.

“I don’t think it’s easy out there. I was up on the clock at five or six minutes but coming down the hill the clock kept catching me up. But he’s a very good horse and I’m excited to be in a good position on him. What will be will be tomorrow.”

Wills, who also lies in 12th overnight in the CCI4-S on DHI By Design and provisional fifth on Cooley Pot of Gold in the CCI3-L, said the tracks at Blair Castle Horse Trials have tested horses and riders.

“Every course across the board has stiffened up this year,” he said. “It’s made a bit harder, which I think is probably good for the sport.

“I think it’s very educational, and we’ve just got to get out there and teach the horses something.”

Overnight leader after the dressage Caroline Powell dropped to eighth with Tik Tok after picking up 5.6 time-penalties, but the New Zealander was thrilled with his clear jumping round. She is in provisional fifth with Legally Grey, and 66th with Tokara.

Gelding comes back from surgery to head Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI4*-S in leaderboard shake-up

Becky Murray — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 15:24:16 +0000

Frenchman Astier Nicolas has taken the lead in the Land Rover Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI4*-S aboard Babylon De Gamma – as the clock proved influential in the showjumping phase.

Astier and the 11-year-old gelding – who were second in this class last year and won it in 2019 – produced a careful clear and added 1.2 time-penalties to their dressage. They go into tomorrow’s (28 August) cross-country phase on a score of 27.2.

The twisty showjumping track featured a number of rollbacks and tight turns, with not many places to make up any time. Of the 44 combinations that jumped, only five came within the 76-second allowance.

Astier told H&H he “didn’t love” his showjumping round but was “very happy” to move into the top spot.

“It was a bit short, but I don’t blame the time – I blame my riding more, I think I could have made the time,” he said.

“Nowadays it’s trendy to have tight times in the showjumping, it makes it a bit complex when it’s not really big. It’s something we’re seeing more and more so we’ve got to get used to it and ride accordingly.”

Astier said Babylon De Gamma is feeling “good” at his first four-star back since having hoof surgery last winter.

“He was meant to do Badminton but didn’t come back fast enough. He did an intermediate and this is his first CCI4*,” he said.

“I don’t know how the cross-country will go because he hasn’t had a season so he’s not as fit as he would be as before. We’ll see how he feels with the hills”.

Tom McEwen and Brookfield Quality, who were lying fifth overnight, moved into second after they posted a clear jumping round and added 0.4 of a time-penalty to their 27.8 dressage.

“I’ve done two OIs with him and that was by far the biggest course I’ve jumped on him [today]. Obviously Piggy has done the most amazing job, but it’s quite hard to follow someone so phenomenally talented,” Tom told H&H, who added it has taken “a little while” to get to know the gelding in the showjumping phase.

“The first half we were just finding equilibrium together and the second half flowed really well. To be a second over through a tight time round a decent track, I was delighted with him.”

Overnight leaders after the dressage Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class had an unlucky pole and picked up 0.4 of a time-penalty, to drop into fifth. Oliver is also third overnight on Swallow Springs, fourth on Tregilder, sixth on As Is and seventh on Crazy Du Loir.

Yesterday (26 August) Oliver confirmed Tregilder and As will not compete in the Blair Castle CCI4*-S cross-country phase tomorrow, as they gear up for Burghley next weekend (1-4 September). He said he will decide later this evening after walking the cross-country course whether Ballaghmor Class will run tomorrow.

Alex Hua Tian and Don Geniro, who had been in third after the dressage, had two fences down in the showjumping and also added 0.8 of a time-fault to drop down to 14th going into the final Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI4*-S cross-country phase.

‘He was pretty outstanding’: Caroline Powell’s exciting six-year-old heads Blair Castle CCI2*-L after dressage

Becky Murray — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 18:03:16 +0000

New Zealand’s Caroline Powell was thrilled to be back in Scotland as she stormed to the top of the CCI2*-L with Tik Tok at the Land Rover Blair Castle Horse Trials.

Jo West’s six-year-old gelding held his own in a strong field and produced a lovely test for Caroline, scoring 26.5. Lucinda Atkinson is second overnight with Pippa Reynold’s Twice Proved on 28.2 and Scotland’s Wills Oakden lies in third with his wife Stephanie’s Keep It Cooley, on 28.3.

Caroline, who also lies in eighth overnight on Legally Grey, and 16th on Tokara, said she was “really chuffed” with Tik Tok.

“I’m really happy with the score. He didn’t really put a foot wrong through the test. He was nice and forward and positive. For a six-year-old he was pretty outstanding. He’s grown up so much,” Caroline told H&H.

“He sort of arrived pretty fresh, he got off the lorry after 10 hours and that’s a big experience for him. We really put this one in the calendar to help them all for next year and things to come.”

Looking ahead to the cross-country Caroline said the hills are going to be a “challenge” for the six-year-old.

“But they’ve got to learn; I brought all of them up here to learn about hills. We’re from Suffolk and don’t have many hills,” said Caroline, adding that is one of the biggest things she misses about Scotland – where she was based for more than 20 years.

“There’s a lot out there to jump. We’re going to give it our best,” she said.

Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI*-Intro

Running for the second year, the CCI*-Intro received bumper entries and has been split into two sections; E and F.

Max Warburton leads section E after the dressage on Morningstar Van Altrido, owned by Conor Bruen, Emma Owen & Suzanne Tearle, on 28.8. Maia Fleming heads section F on her own Candyman Leanorth.

‘There’s no question about her’: world number one leads Blair Castle Horse Trials four-stars after dressage

Becky Murray — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 17:38:35 +0000

World number one Oliver Townend is leading both four-star classes after the dressage at the Land Rover Blair Castle Horse Trials.

Oliver – who has nine entries at Scotland’s premier event – heads the CCI4*-L on Paul Ridgeon’s eye-catching eight-year-old mare Cooley Rosalent on 29.4. Snapping at his heels is Tom McEwen and Martin Belsham’s nine-year-old mare Luna Mist on 29.9 and Scottish rider Louisa Milne Home is lying third overnight with her own and Susie Wilks’ Future Plans on 35.2.

Cooley Rosalent delivered a test well beyond her years and Oliver said the mare has a “beautiful brain”.

“We’ve been in love with her since she was four years old and she’s producing on to be a beautiful five-star horse. This is hopefully a learning curve that she’ll get through well,” he said.

“She’s only eight so we’re still educating her. The end [game] is five-star with her, there’s no question about her.”

Oliver said he felt Cooley Rosalent’s test was “far superior to the mark” – a sentiment shared by Tom about Luna’s test.

“She did a stunning test, but it was an unbelievably boring dressage mark,” Tom said.

“It was a beautiful test, she didn’t do anything wrong. I thought it was more like 25. She had lovely clean changes and she got the same mark from the judges as she did for doing something a little average earlier on in the test. But she was brilliant.”

Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI4*-S dressage

The cream of the crop came forward in the CCI4*-S with the leaderboard changing a number of times during the two days of dressage. Oliver shot to the top on his final ride of the day, his Tokyo partner Ballaghmor Class, on 25. Frenchman Astier Nicolas lies in second with Babylon De Gamma on 26 and Alex Hua Tian is in third overnight on Pippa Higgin’s Don Geniro.

Oliver and 15-year-old “Thomas” are part of the British team selected for the World Eventing Championships at Pratoni next month – and Oliver said the gelding “is going through the motions”.

“He was very good [today]. He’s not tuned up at all at the minute. There’s a lot more to come, but you don’t need to do it at Blair,” he said.

“We always like to build him up to the big occasion; he went in and did his job very nicely, but there’s another six marks to come off in terms of where we’re going.”

Oliver said he is taking everything “one phase at a time” and has not decided if Ballaghmor Class will run in the cross-country on Sunday. But he did confirm his Burghley rides Tregilder and As Is, who currently lie in 6th and 8th overnight respectively, will showjump tomorrow (27 August) but not run in the cross-country phase on Sunday (28 August).

“The rest are definitely running, they’re here for qualifications or progression and mileage,” he said.

‘He was phenomenal’: Tom McEwen tops Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI3*-L dressage with untouchable score

Becky Murray — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 17:04:50 +0000

Tom McEwen heads the leaderboard of the Land Rover Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI3*-L with Brookfield Cavalier Cruise after posting an untouchable 22.9 dressage.

Tom threw down the gauntlet on Alison Swinburn and John and Chloe Perry’s nine-year-old gelding on the first day of dressage on Thursday (25 August) and no other combinations came within touching distance as the first phase concluded on Friday. Coral Hardman (nee Keen) is in provisional second with her own and Ginnie Welling’s nine-year-old gelding Impuls V on 26.6. Sam Ecroyd lies in third with his mother Penelope Ecroyd’s 11-year-old gelding Withingon on 28.6.

Brookfield Cavalier Cruise, known at home as Fletcher, produced a flowing confident test and the striking gelding commanded attention from the spectators.

“He’s a beautiful mover and has a beautiful way of going. He’s a stunning horse,” Tom told H&H.

“He was a good few marks ahead of everyone else, and deservedly so in my opinion. He was phenomenal; very correct, clear and accurate.”

Tom added the atmosphere at Blair Castle is already building.

“It’s amazing,” he said. “The past two days, apart from probably Badminton or Bramham, there’s not been this many people watching a dressage test all year really,” he said, adding having the one- and two-star dressage arenas either side of the three-star provided a great experience for the horses.

Tom will tackle the Scottish hills tomorrow (27 August) for the cross-country phase and said the ground is “beyond perfect”.

“I’m looking forward to cross-country tomorrow with Fletcher,” he said. “We were at Gatcombe Horse Trials on the hills, so hopefully the hills here will suit him. But it’s a good place to find out and it’s a good strong three-star track.

“We’re very excited to see green grass and good ground. It’s refreshing.”

Tom has four rides at Blair Castle Horse Trials; Brookfield Quality and Brookfield Benjamin Bounce are in 5th and 34th place respectively overnight in the CCI4-S. He lies in second overnight in the CCI4-L with his British intermediate champion Luna Mist.

The cream of the show pony crop and British Olympians in Scotland – five events to follow this week

Pippa Roome — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 07:32:57 +0000

From the British Show Pony Society Championships to Scotland’s premier horse trials, find out what’s happening this week in equestrian sport…

1. British Show Pony Society Championships, Arena UK, Lincs

Dates: 23-27 August

More info: bsps.com

How to watch: Catch all the action on Horse & Country TV (August 23–27) from 8am each day in the TopSpec Champions Hall through to the evening performances. Plus the inter-country working hunter pony championship in the Classic Services Group ring on Wednesday from 12.45pm to 4.30pm.

Get the H&H lowdown: Full report in 1 September issue of H&H

Why we’re excited about it: The crème de la crème of show ponies will flock to Arena UK in Lincolnshire for this five-day showing extravaganza. A schedule packed full of classes offers working hunter and flat competitors, both open and novice, to compete for prestigious titles and ultimately, one of the flowery championship sashes. Who will bask in the spotlight and take home the coveted supreme titles?

2. Land Rover Blair Castle Horse Trials, Perthshire

Dates: 25-28 August

More info: event website or British Eventing schedule

Get the H&H lowdown: updates from the event at horseandhound.co.uk, plus full report in 1 September issue of the magazine

Why we’re excited about it: this is Scotland’s premier horse trials and the beautiful setting and tough terrain makes it a special occasion. The event hosts international classes across the range of levels, from a huge CCI*-intro class up to CCI4*-L. Last year’s CCI4*-S winners Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo have just been named on the British squad for the eventing World Championships and entries for this class this year include Oliver Townend’s top two horses Ballaghmor Class and Swallow Springs – though they may do dressage only with the worlds and Burghley Horse Trials their big autumn targets – Tom McEwen with Brookfield Benjamin Bouce and new ride Brookfield Quality and Pippa Funnell with Billy Wonder and Maybach. Tom and Oliver both have rides in the small CCI4*-L too, so keep an eye out for British intermediate champion Luna Mist under Tom and the smart grey Cooley Rosalent with Oliver.

3. FEI Dressage European Championships for Children and Under-25s, Hungary

Dates: 24-28 August

More info: FEI event website

How to watch: Live stream available via ClipMyHorse.tv

Get the H&H lowdown: full report in the 1 September issue

Why we’re excited about it: championships fever continues this week with more youth Europeans. The under-25s division will feature Europe’s top upcoming riders competing at inter II and grand prix level. You’ll want to remember some of these names – they are sure to be making their mark in senior ranks before too long; don’t forget that it was only four years ago that world champion Lottie Fry won gold at the under-25 Europeans. Meanwhile the children’s championships, for riders under 14, is also set to be exciting, as talented young riders prove their promise for the future.

4. Chepstow Summer International CSI2*

Dates: 26-29 August

More info: www.theshowground.com

How to watch: Live stream available via ClipMyHorse.tv

Get the H&H lowdown: Full report in next week’s magazine, in the shops Thursday 1 September

Why we’re excited about it: We’re being treated to even more international showjumping on home soil this week, with a feast of young horse classes and jumping up to 1.40m level to enjoy.

5. Sheepgate Under-25 Dressage Championships, Lincs

Dates: 22-27 August

More info: The Sheepgate Equestrian website

Get the H&H lowdown: coverage in the 8 September issue

Why we’re excited about it: young riders of all levels come together at this multi-day show, which hosts semi-finals and championships from prelim right up to grand prix, including the FEI youth levels. There’s plenty more action in addition to these feature classes as well, with freestyles and team competitions too.

London International and Blair Castle share charity partnerships, plus more sponsorship news

Lucy Elder — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 10:57:53 +0000

London International Horse Show reveals official charity

Ebony Horse Club is the London International Horse Show’s official charity for 2022 (15 to 19 December).

The charity, based in Brixton, south London, works with young people and its mission is to use horses to raise the education, life skills, wellbeing and aspirations of those from disadvantaged communities in Lambeth.

Ebony already has links with the show. In 2021, it hosted the London International Horse Show Riding Academy, which is an annual event and involves the show’s riders, organisers and associates sharing knowledge with the club’s members. Last year, Jack Whitaker gave a jumping lesson and Natasha Baker spoke about her journey to the top.

A total of 50p from every ticket sold for the Thursday afternoon performance will go directly to the charity, and the show will provide tickets for the club members and staff. The club will also be taking an active part in preparations for the show.

“We are extremely excited to be chosen as the London International Horse Show’s official charity this year,” said Ebony Horse Club admin and yard coordinator Christine Lewis.

“To be selected by such a prestigious event really speaks volumes to the reach of our message and it’s great to be recognised at such a high-profile occasion.

“We have worked with the London International Horse Show a few times in the past and our members absolutely love going to the show.”

She added the 2021 academy was “just amazing” and something members “still talk about now”.

“We cannot wait to be more involved this year. It’ll be a great platform to raise awareness about our work. It’s truly going to be a day to remember for all involved,” she said.

Club member Jasmine, 17, added: “The fact that the London International Horse Show has chosen Ebony as its 2022 charity is amazing [and] more young people will have the opportunity to experience the magic of Ebony.”

London International Horse Show director Simon Brooks-Ward said the show is “delighted to be able to support [Ebony] this year” and looks forward to working together in the build-up and at the event itself.

“Ebony Horse Club is a fantastic charity, enabling children from central London to be involved with horses, where they otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity,” he added.

Two charity partners for Blair Castle International Horse Trials

The Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials (25 to 28 August) has named the British Eventing Support Trust and the Moredun Foundation Equine Grass Sickness Fund as its official charity partners for 2022.

The British Eventing Support Trust, which launched in September 2021, aims to support riders through injury and mental health struggles. The grass sickness fund is dedicated to supporting, improving treatment and advancing research into the disease.

Nicky Townshend, assistant director of Blair Castle Horse Trials, said: “Both of the charities we have chosen for this year’s event are hugely important to the equestrian world. Eventing is a high risk sport and, whilst everything is done to minimise the risk, to now have British Eventing Support Trust as a resource is fantastic.

“Grass sickness has long been a distressing illness for horse owners to deal with, and the work of the Equine Grass Sickness Fund is truly invaluable.

“We are delighted to support these causes and look forward to working together to raise funds and awareness for the charities.”

Clothing brand signs title deal for Coronation Cup

The Hurlingham Polo Association’s (HPA) clothing brand Hurlingham Polo 1875 has signed a headline sponsorship deal for the Coronation Cup at Guards Polo Club (23 July).

The partnership means the day will be titled the Hurlingham Polo 1875 International Day for the Coronation Cup.

HPA chief executive Anna Hall said Hurlingham 1875 is the “perfect match” for the day that will showcase “the full range that British polo has to offer”.

The deal involves providing team shirts for England and Uruguay, high-profile advertising and a presence at the event.

Hurlingham Polo 1875 chief executive Simon Hawkins added: “We are confident that working closely with the Hurlingham Polo Association will help raise awareness of, and participation in, the game of polo alongside the growth of the lifestyle brand. Through design, creativity and innovation, we will continue to position the sport of polo, and its British heritage, at the heart of everything we do. We will always be aligned to our core value of authenticity.”

New deals for Riding for the Disabled

Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) has revealed two new sponsorship deals.

Equine feed specialists Dodson & Horrell has pledged support for dressage classes at the RDA National Championships in a three-year deal. Pet insurance provider Agria is also supporting the championships and raising additional funds for the charity.

The 2022 championships are underway at Hartpury this week (15 to 17 July).

RDA interim chief executive Paul Ringer said: “Dressage at our RDA National Championships is a fantastic display of skill and accuracy, and in the past has been a springboard for riders joining the para-dressage pathway.

“I’d like to thank Dodson & Horrell for its ongoing support of RDA and helping us to nurture and develop the talent of RDA riders across the UK.”

Dodson & Horrell marketing manager Lucy Scott added: “We are extremely pleased to announce our support of the RDA National Championships and are excited to welcome this brilliant event back to the competition calendar.

“The work the RDA does and the support it provides for the equestrian community is invaluable to riders across the country. Being able to be involved and support the event and indeed the RDA themselves as an organisation, is something we’re very proud of.”

Agria’s managing director Vicki Wentworth said the firm is “incredibly excited and proud” to be involved with the RDA.

“We are so aware of how much horses do to enrich our lives and what building a relationship with a horse can do for building confidence and happiness,” she said.

“Nothing illustrates this more than the amazing work done by the RDA, which is such a valuable and loved charity. As a horse lover, for me this charity epitomises all the good that horses bring to our lives.”

Clare Prysbet, from the RDA, said the charity is delighted to be starting a new partnership with Agria at “this important time for both our organisations”.

“With Agria’s help, we can continue to support our groups all over the UK, delivering life-changing opportunities for disabled people to benefit from time spent with horses,” she said.

“With disabled people having been disproportionately affected by Covid and lockdown, our activities are more important than ever, and we are doing everything we can to help our groups get back to strength and help more people take part.”

Celebrity Shetland partners with bedding provider

Pint-sized heartbreaker Teddy the Shetland has joined sustainable bedding firm Sorbeo’s roster of ambassadors.

Under the new sponsorship arrangement, Sorbeo and Teddy will be collaborating to promote Sorbeo through social media platforms.

“We are thrilled about our sponsorship of Teddy,’ said Fiona Hill, marketing director at Sorbeo. “As well as the highly visible aspects of the partnership, we think Teddy is the perfect character to represent our brand – he even looks like our logo!”

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The Horse & Hound Podcast 66: Ros Canter | Paralympic dressage | Core strength | News round-up

Gemma Redrup — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 05:45:16 +0000

In our 66th weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, currently supported by Petplan Equine, H&H editor Pippa Roome talks to top event rider Ros Canter to find out more about her Bicton CCI5* ride and what it was like to be the alternate rider at the Tokyo Olympics. Moving on to the week’s top news stories, Pippa talks to H&H’s news writer Becky Murray the need for change to improve the lives of disabled people and what happened at the Land Rover Blair Horse Trials last week. H&H’s dressage editor, Polly Bryan, is then joined by H&H’s senior news writer Lucy Elder, who has just arrived back from reporting at the Tokyo Paralympic dressage competition. In this week’s advice section, we welcome back personal trainer Katie Bleekman, who will be focusing on core strength. We hope you will find this useful.

Episode 66 of The Horse & Hound Podcast, our popular audio service available every Thursday morning for our H&H digital subscribers and currently supported by Petplan Equine, is now live.

View all episodes of The Horse & Hound Podcast

In our 66th weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, currently supported by Petplan Equine, H&H editor Pippa Roome talks to top event rider Ros Canter to find out more about her Bicton CCI5* ride and what it was like to be the alternate rider at the Tokyo Olympics.

“I can’t say it was an easy position to be in, because it wasn’t, trying to persuade your brain you might be competing in a few hour’s time is quite a tricky thing to do, when you probably aren’t” – Ros Canter on being the alternate rider at the Tokyo Olympics

Moving on to the week’s top news stories, Pippa talks to H&H’s news writer Becky Murray the need for change to improve the lives of disabled people and what happened at the Land Rover Blair Horse Trials last week.

“You could see how much it meant to Rosie Fry to win – it was so lovely to watch” – Becky Murray reflecting on the action at Blair Horse Trials

H&H’s dressage editor, Polly Bryan, is then joined by H&H’s senior news writer Lucy Elder, who has just arrived back from reporting at the Tokyo Paralympic dressage competition.

“I think I cried most of the way back on the plane, just because of how incredible it all was” – Lucy Elder on her Tokyo experience

In this week’s advice section, we welcome back personal trainer Katie Bleekman, who will be focusing on core strength.

“A common question I ask any rider who is looking to improve their fitness is ‘what are you goals?’ and core strength is one that comes up every single time” – Katie Bleekman

We would love to hear your feedback on all our podcasts, so please do send your thoughts to pippa.roome@futurenet.com

H&H Plus podcast: episode 66

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The Horse & Hound Podcast 63: Tom McEwen | Back pain in riders | News round-up

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The Horse & Hound Podcast 62: British Olympic bronze medal-winner Lottie Fry | Mindset for rider fitness | Tokyo eventing review | News round-up

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Daisy Berkeley on Blair Castle Horse Trials: ‘These cross-country courses bucked the trend’

Pippa Roome — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 13:23:49 +0000

Daisy Berkeley, who won team bronze at the 2008 Olympics on Spring Along, as well as world team silver and European team gold, reflects on the cross-country tracks at Land Rover Blair Castle Horse Trials last week

BLAIR Castle Horse Trials is my favourite event – I love it. It’s a long drive for many, but when you wake the first morning, surrounded by rugged hills with the mist rising, it’s breathtaking.

This year, we had incredible weather, with the mist giving way to beautiful burning sunshine, which made a change as Blair can be notoriously wet. The ground was faster than I’ve ever known it, but still good. The whole team from top to bottom are welcoming, charming and friendly. It makes you love Scotland.

Horses haven’t seen crowds like that for a couple of years, so they will have grown up from the experience. It really felt like we were at a big event again.

I followed Ian Stark in the CCI2*-L and we had great chats about “back in the day”. You’d have thought he’d won, such was the applause when he jumped clear on Sunday.

Blair Castle Horse Trials cross-country courses

Alec Lochore has done a great job with the cross-country courses, which rode well. The two- and three-star were on the strong side, but it was all fair – there was nothing nasty, nothing trappy and no bad distances.

Horses couldn’t read the seal in the first water in the two-star if people cut the corner in too tight; they were spooking at the water, not looking at the jump. As the day went on, riders learnt to give the horses longer to see the fence.

I like the layout of the long-format courses, so you have three minutes on the flat to get into a really good galloping rhythm. Then it’s uphill for a couple of minutes, then downhill home. The CCI4*-S course doesn’t give you much over a minute on the flat at the start, so you never get in such a strong rhythm. But it’s a good test.

At the moment, designers overuse open distances – a massive oxer, then a flat-out gallop to an angled skinny. Alec bucked this trend. One combination in the CCI4*-S had a big oxer, then a holding six strides to a corner and four to another corner – you had to curve the four, or it was three and a half. It made riders sit up and balance and it was a joy to see Ros Canter ride it, making it look like an exercise in the school.

Diane Beaumont’s showjumping tracks were also extremely good. There were a lot of roll-backs and the distances tested riders, as some were moving and others short. You had to keep going forward on tight lines to make the time.

I dropped 15 places through having a fence in the two-star, which was gutting, but when I was on the FEI eventing committee, I was in favour of having the dressage marks closer together – which is what has happened with the removal of the coefficient in 2018 – so the showjumping would be more influential.

Rosie Fry, who won the CCI4*-L, has been a consistent rider for a long time. With Alice Casburn and Lauren Innes behind her, it was good to see riders without the senior Union flag on their coat going well. We are, of course, terribly proud of our British senior team riders, though – the quality and strength in depth is extraordinary at the moment.

A sad cloud over the lorry park

When I heard about the death of four horses on Nick Gauntlett’s lorry, hit while broken down on the side of the road to Blair, it was like I’d been punched in the guts – our worst nightmare. There was a cloud over the lorry park on night one.

But we all thought, “We’re here because we love horses and doing what we do, we’re lucky and we must enjoy it as much as possible – and be safe.” The undercurrent was there all week and made us all appreciate the beautiful weather and lovely place even more.

This exclusive column will also be available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 2 September

‘He tried his heart out’: CCI4*-L win makes long journey from Dorset to Blair Castle worthwhile

Becky Murray — Sun, 29 Aug 2021 18:32:16 +0000

Rosie Fry punched the air in delight as she took the honours in the Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials CCI4*-L.

Rosie and the 10-year-old gelding True Blue Too II, bred and owned by Rosie’s aunt Di White-Hamilton, soared round clear in the showjumping on the final day of competition in front of delighted crowds. While the pair could afford to have a pole, the gelding showed he still had plenty to give as they made light work of the track, which included two combination fences and a red wall.

Overnight second Tom McEwen picked up 12 faults, taking down the first part of both combinations as well as the final fence, dropping him into sixth. Alice Casburn and Topspin II produced a clear for second, and Lauren Innes and Global Fision M finished third.

A very emotional Rosie told H&H she was “speechless”.

“Showjumping can be our weakest phase, but we’ve had so much help from Emma Fisher. We’ve worked really hard on his showjumping and he’s just tried his heart out,” she said, adding she was feeling the pressure going into the ring.

“Nine years ago I was in the lead and had four down on a homebred; and this is also a homebred so it’s so special. People kept telling me ‘jump like you’re at home’. He jumped clear in the two-star [then CCI*] here in 2018 so I knew he liked the arena, and he likes jumping on grass.”

Dorset-based Rosie now has her eyes set on Badminton after picking up her qualification.

“He’s tried so hard for me all week. We were coming here aiming to qualify but didn’t really think it was going to happen, and to win is a bonus. It will make the drive back to Dorset a lot shorter,” she said.

It could be said Alice Casburn had a reason to feel confident going into the showjumping phase riding former puissance winner Topspin II. The homebred gelding, who showjumped prior to turning to eventing three years ago, thrived in the pair’s second four-star long competition.

“I couldn’t be more pleased,” the 19-year-old told H&H. “He loves an atmosphere, he completely lights up. I was hoping he would do that today and he completely did! The bigger the jump, the more excited he gets, which was a very nice feeling going into today.

“I was in the warm-up and I didn’t really know what I was riding. I gave him a pat as I went in, he saw the people and he was like ‘This is exactly what I’m here for’. I’m a very lucky girl to be sat on a horse as nice as him.”

Alice, who did her first junior eventing Europeans on the gelding in 2019, said to begin with he didn’t really enjoy his new career.

“It’s all sort of just clicked with him – he’s started coming out of the start box saying ‘Where is the first jump?’. Yesterday I went in the start box and I didn’t have a choice if I was going – he saw the first fence and said, ‘There it is, mum!’ It’s a really nice feeling,” she said.

“He’s quite insecure, but it comes across as naughtiness. In the dressage arena he’ll decide he really hates a corner, and every instinct says ‘give him a kick to get in the corner’. But actually, I’ve just got to give him a pat. I’m quite vocal on the cross-country – it’s quite embarrassing, but he listens to my voice more than anything.”

Full-time accountant Lauren Innes enjoyed her Blair Castle debut with Global Fision M. The pair were second after dressage, and jumped clear across-country, picking up 10.4 time-penalties to sit in fourth overnight going into the showjumping.

“I’m over the moon,” she told H&H. “He was rideable in there – sometimes he can get a bit excited, but he let me turn on the turnbacks. I was worried if he didn’t, I’d get time-faults but he let me ride him and he jumped clear.

“I was looking for a four-star long qualification and having already done Blenheim, I wanted a different four-star long before hopefully aiming him at Badminton next year.

“I absolutely love Blair. My mum is Scottish, but we’ve never been to a Scottish event before. My highlight was my amazing cross-country ride, he just ate it up and felt so confident. He loved every minute of it. If I could do that again I would. He’ll have a month out in the field now and I’ll get back to dressage practise over the winter and showjumping in spring in preparation for Badminton.”

Blair Castle Horse Trials results: Ros Canter wins CCI3*-L

Ros Canter and Alex Moody’s eight-year-old gelding Izilot DHI rode a faultless clear round to finish on their 27.1 dressage score. The pair had been sitting in second after cross-country, behind Ros’s leading ride Shannondale Nadia, but the mare was withdrawn from the remainder of the competition last night (28 August) after suffering a minor injury.

Hayden Hankey and Fools In Love took second, while Edie Campbell and Fireball F climbed to third. All of the top three completed without adding to their first phase score.

Ros had her mind on the clock with a tight time allowance causing many to pick up time-penalties in the final phase.

“I knew the time was tight and I’m a bit prone to a time-fault, but you can turn on a sixpence with this horse and jump across an angle,” she told H&H.

“I didn’t walk my course half as tight as I rode it. I was much quicker between one and two, and angled across the second last more than I thought I would. I knew Hayden had gone clear so there wasn’t much margin for error.”

Ros described the gelding, who she has had since a rising five-year-old, as a “phenomenal jumper”.

“I haven’t sat on another like him before. I swear he would be scopey enough to be a 1.60m showjumping horse. You feel like you can take those risks with him, he just wants to clear the jump,” she said.

“He’s an absolute dream to ride, I’ve never felt a half pass like it. I was a bit disappointed with his mark here as he’s a really strong dressage horse.”

Ros said she was “delighted” with the gelding this week, having had some difficulties at Le Lion last year.

“At Le Lion he went quite spooky with me and it all got a bit much for him. We had a few fly-bys on the cross-country, not because he wanted to run out, but because he was distracted by so many different things,” she said. “To come to this event with so many people and perform in every phase is what I’m really delighted about with him.

“The plan is to keep progressing with him. He’s quite a sharp horse and he takes a bit of managing. He doesn’t tend to show his best until the weather warms up around May. The winter and the spring is about trying to get his behaviour in check and we can really show him off after that. We’ll probably run him again this year because it helps going into the winter if he’s worked a bit hard.”

Ros added Shannondale Nadia is doing well following her minor injury.

“She got a little bit of a knock on the cross-country – she’s a bit sore, but nothing serious. We hope she’s a horse for the future so it wasn’t worth risking it today so it was a mutual decision between the owner and I to withdraw,” she said.

Hayden said he used the first of his rides in the three-star, Cartown Galaxy, to help with preparations for Fools In Love, known at home as “Joker”.

“It was great having the other horse as a bit of a pathfinder. I had two time-faults on the first horse so I knew I had to get a jivvy on,” he told H&H.

“With Joker I had a few lucky rubs. Alan Fazakerley, who helps me with my showjumping, tells me ‘Don’t get put off when you have a little rub. Think of it as good luck because when they have a rub, they’ll go and try harder.’ I was lucky, I had the rubs but at the end of the day you’ve got to be lucky.

“Alan is a great mentor and has helped me out a lot with my approach and how I look to ride the horses.When I had the rub the next time I put him in I put a bit more leg on, clicked at him and he just went and went again. I’m delighted with both horses this week.”

Brightwells purchase wins CCI2*-L at Blair Castle International Horse Trials

Becky Murray — Sun, 29 Aug 2021 14:42:04 +0000

European Eventing Championships-bound Sarah Bullimore demonstrated her ability to perform under pressure when winning the Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials CCI2*-L on Evita AP.

With no poles in hand, Sarah and the seven-year-old mare had to go clear to take the honours. Despite a rattle of the second last before the final treble combination, the pole stayed up and the pair flew across the finishing line, remaining on their 26.5 dressage score. Lucinda Atkinson and KGB Sandra took second, with Tom McEwen and MHS Brown Jack in third.

Sarah was “over the moon” with the seven-year-old mare, who showed no signs of tiredness from the taxing cross-country the day before.

“She is absolutely full of it after the cross-country. After the last fence to get to the timer I closed my legs and she shot off. Then we did an impromptu lap of the arena before she would come back again. She’s ready to go again!” Sarah told H&H.

“She jumped like a superstar. I watched a couple this morning and thought the time was tight, then they shortened it further, and I thought ‘oh my goodness’. Normally we keep her sort of slow to jump and sometimes can have a time-fault, but she was absolutely magic.”

Sarah’s husband Brett bought Evita AP, with the Seahorse Syndicate, as a three-year-old from Brightwells.

“There wasn’t a picture in the catalogue but she’s by Con Air, the same sire as our Conpierre and we love him. When they brought her out she was a real nice horse, but she wasn’t really my type,” she said. “Then the seller said she was in foal, and I mentally put her back. Brett was with me the next day, they loose jumped her and here she is. The foal has gone to one of my sponsors and I hope to get her back to start for them.

“This year we’ve taken an embryo from Evita AP. For the stallion we’ve gone with Murka’s Gem, the Gem Twist clone. Evita AP’s got everything there, but we’d like to lighten her a little and put a bit more blood in.”

Sarah had come to Blair as a last-minute entry with eyes on a qualification for the young event horse championships at Le Lion. The pair have had a less than ideal season after the mare was ruled out in June by a leg infection meaning the pair were lacking in “match practise”.

“I came here for the qualification, but to win is the icing on the cake. It was our last opportunity to qualify and I was feeling the pressure. We only got the other part of the qualification at Somerford Park last week.

“I was thinking don’t go and have three down or something stupid. At the end of the day if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. It’s all down to selectors now, and hopefully it’s meant to be – but at least we’re now qualified and can be in the mix.”

Lucinda Atkinson said Jane Crossley’s seven-year-old gelding KGB Sandro had overcome some showjumping challenges along the way to Blair.

“Dressage and cross-country are his strongest phases. He hasn’t had a clear showjumping all year. But I don’t mind if he saves it for the big days,” said Lucinda, who runs an event yard in Northallerton.

“We’ve been working hard. He used to stress about atmosphere, but he’s overcome that now. Helen Bell and Chris Bartle have been massively helping with the jumping and Judy Bradwell has helped me with the dressage.”

Lucinda also took fourth on Jane Crossley’s 13-year-old-gelding Dancing Revolution.

“He only came to me 10 days ago. I broke him in – his full brother is Spring Revolution, who I event at four-star,” she said. “Unfortunately his normal rider Martha Todd couldn’t be here this week and Jane wanted him to come here. I can’t take any claim to fame for him this weekend, it’s all Martha’s hard work.”

CCI*-Intro

The popular CCI*-Intro rounded off with the cross-country on Sunday, with Katie Magee and Fairfield Mollymac taking the honours in section E. The pair enjoyed a double clear to finish on their dressage score 30.1.

The showjumping the previous day caused a shuffle of the leaderboard when Grace Botterell and Diamond Pippin had a pole, which led to Sarah Clark and Secret Affaer VII heading the section going into the cross-country. But a run out at the second phase of fence 11, the angled brushes, led to Sarah calling it a day on course.

County Durham-based trainer Katie has owned and produced Fairfield Mollymac since she was a three-year-old and Blair is the mare’s international debut.

“It’s been busier than I’ve ever known it so it was a real education. The dressage went really well, apart from me learning the test wrong! But she was brilliant, she went in and was really settled. You just don’t know when you’re bringing a baby,” Katie told H&H.

“It was unexpected to win. I had Nelson De La Pomme and Treworra coming for the CCI2*-L and decided Fairfield Mollymac would benefit from coming along. It was a lovely bonus to win on top of her getting the education. All going well we’re hoping to go to the six-year-old championship at Osberton.”

Katie said she entered the CCI*-Intro class with the aim to be able to advise her clients on the new class.

“You only have to have done three BE100s, and I thought it was maybe going to be quite tough to do off the back of that. Fairfield Mollymac has done a couple of novices, but I thought it was more a novice than a BE100. They didn’t have the same hills as the CCI2*-L but they still had to do some climbing,” she said.

Section F was won by Charlotte Cooke on board legendary event pony Midnight Dancer II who finished on their dressage score 27.0 with a very speedy round across country.

Charlotte, who made a 14-hour journey to the event from Essex, was delighted with the 12-year-old gelding. The pair have been a combination since Christmas when he was bought for the young rider as a surprise. “Casper” is a multi-medallist, having won team gold at the 2018 Pony Europeans with Ellie Healy and double gold in 2019 with Finn Healy.

“I tried him in August 2020, but Finn still had a few trials left with him. I had resigned to the fact we weren’t getting him because I’d tried him so long ago, and then I came down on Christmas morning and he was in the stable,” Charlotte told H&H.

“We did our first international at Belsay in June, but it didn’t go to plan and I fell off so we’ve been training really hard. The dressage here went amazing. We’ve been getting the tests at home, but sometimes when I go to a show I get a bit rigid on him. But now finally when I came out I thought ‘that’s the test I’ve been wanting’ so I was really happy. The showjumping was the best round we’ve had. We’ve had some brilliant tuition leading up to this from Alan Fazakerley and John Thelwall so it’s really paid off. ”

Charlotte, who hopes to follow in Ellie and Finn’s footsteps with success on Casper, flew round the cross-country with the handbrake firmly off – so much so the pair had to overtake the rider before them in the latter stages of the course.

“He’s unreal cross-country, he’s out of this world. You just need to keep your legs on, eyes up and he’s on his way,” she said. “It was a testing course, and it was definitely tight but being on a pony makes it easier. The fences were big enough out there for them.”

‘You could call the terrain here another fence’: changes at the top following Blair Castle CCI4*-L cross-country

Becky Murray — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 21:23:03 +0000

The Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials CCI4*-L has seen a reshuffle at the top of the leaderboard on an influential cross-country day where the terrain ensured the time was difficult to achieve.

New leader Rosie Fry and Too Blue Too II added 2.8 time to their dressage score to take the provisional top-spot ahead of Sunday’s showjumping. But Tom McEwen is snapping at their heels with Magdalena Gut’s Dream Big – the former racehorse who produced the only jumping clear round of the day without time-penalties. Rounding off the top-three is Alice Casburn and Top Spin II who moved up from 11th, adding six time-penalties to their dressage score.

Leaders after the dressage Nicola Wilson and Erano M produced a foot-perfect jumping round, but a costly 14.4 time-penalties dropped the pair out of the top-spot to provisional sixth.

Rosie said she “was not expecting” to be in the lead with the home-bred gelding after the cross-country.

“I have been in this position before. Nine years ago here I had two horses here, when it was then the three-star. One ended up overnight leader but it fell apart in the showjumping so I don’t really like to be in this position here!” she laughed.

“He’s done one four-star long at Bicton in June and had 20 penalties [in the cross country] early on and he got better and better. He’s an amazing cross-country horse, all I have to do is sit and steer. Bicton made him into a man and now he’s gone up a gear. We had a few time faults, but coming here and having a few time faults isn’t a bad thing.

“He was bred by my aunt Di White-Hamilton and has been with me since he was four so I know him inside and out. We knew this course would suit him because he’s a proper galloper and he’s so straight and honest.”

Tom said it was “a really tough track”.

“There’s enough to do – the first water really throws you into it. You could call the terrain here another fence,” he told H&H. “There were a lot of people out on track, which is one thing she hasn’t really seen. She was phenomenal. Being an ex-racehorse and coming up through the grades with her has been amazing.

“With her the time was really easy. She kept ticking over at the same speed going up the hill as she was coming down the hill. I had a lovely time. I was just working out the minute markers so I wasn’t going over the top!”

Blair Castle cross-country day: Ros Canter stays on top in the CCI3*-L

Ros, who took the honours in the CCI4*-S on Lordships Graffalo, had a fantastic run on cross-country day in the three-star, maintaining her one-two with Shannondale Nadia and Izilot Dhi. Hayden Hankey rounds off the top-three on his own and Phillipa Heler’s eight-year-old gelding Fools In Love.

“Shannondale Nadia is a really lovely little horse. She spends all week asleep – she is so laid back she’d sleep in the start box if you let her,” Ros told H&H. “But she’s really learning to gallop. Sometimes you’d look at her and think ‘would she go to the distance?’, but she seems to get gamer the further she goes on the course.

“Today both my horses made the time and didn’t get too tired so I was delighted. That was the reason for coming here, really to test their stamina. I thought it was a really good track. You just have to be very aware of the terrain here and the cumulative effect of it. The horse you have at the end is a different horse to what you had at the beginning.”

Hayden, who also sits 11th with mare Cartown Galaxy, said both his rides were almost a “bit too bold” across country.

“Their confidence ran them into trouble occasionally,” he told H&H. “Occasionally with them being so brave and really enjoying their job, I was having to say ‘wait, wait, jump the fence!’.

“But the course rode fantastic. There was a lot of questions, everywhere – not just specifically the waters or triple brush, it’s the whole undulation of Blair. That’s what makes it so special, that’s why we make the trek up to Scotland from Cheshire.

“More riders should come and ride at Blair because you learn so much about having to ride your horse and look after it. You can’t just abuse it, you’ve got to make sure you’ve got enough in the tank to come home.”

CCI2*-L overnight leaders stay on their dressage score

Sarah Bullimore and her husband Brett and the Seahorse Syndicate’s Evita AP made light work of the two-star track on Blair Castle cross-country day, attacking it from the off.

“She did start off a bit going ‘whoopee’. I didn’t want to let her go too quick, especially with the hills. She’s a big girl and she’s quite solid. We might need to rethink bits again! Today I had a pelham with a soft curb, but we might have to try something different altogether. We only used it for the first time last week,” Sarah told H&H.

“The mound rode a lot better than it looked, it was just an ugly one to walk. The first water at nine is hideous. You’re coming off a tight left hand, and as they turn they don’t really see where they’re going because there is the bank and spectators, so they’re a little bit ‘where are we going?’. Then there is this silly seal there that doesn’t really look like a jump.

“There was a lot of things to look at. Near the end suddenly you’re giving them a tiny arrowhead to jump which is difficult for them to read. She landed after that and I said ‘on then’ and flew home.”

Looking ahead to the showjumping, Sarah said the mare is a “good jumper” but can get “a bit impetuous”.

“She’s a woman – she just wants to get on with it,” she said.

World champion wins Blair Castle CCI4*-S with Europeans’ reserve ride

Becky Murray — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 20:43:34 +0000

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo demonstrated their class when winning the Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials CCI4*-S.

Ros and the nine-year-old gelding, owned by Michele Saul, took the lead in the dressage on Thursday and maintained this position throughout. The pair jumped clear in both phases, collecting 0.4 time-penalties in the showjumping and 0.8 in the cross-country to finish on 26.4. Frenchman Astier Nicolas was second on Babylon De Gamma with Emily King and Valmy Biats finishing third.

“He’s such an incredible horse,” Ros told H&H. “I often feel like I find it hard to go fast across-country but that horse makes me feel like I ride well across-country. He’s got such amazing balance on these hills, you could gallop down a hill and feel completely in control.

“There was plenty to jump here. Particularly because of the short format, you were straight in at the deep end here. You didn’t have that minute or two to settle them. It was just bang, bang, bang, like every short format is – but here you’ve got the terrain to contend with as well. It’s over before you’ve blinked.”

Astier, who took this class in 2019 with Babylon De Gamma, was delighted with his own 10-year-old gelding.

“He’s even more fantastic,” he said. “Now I think he can do dressage. I always thought he was a good jumper but dressage was not so easy. He’s improved a lot.”

Emily King said Viamy Biats, owned by the Event Horse Owners Syndicate, was the “best he’s ever felt”.

“We went quick, but know there were a few times I could have kept galloping right up to the fence and sat up a bit later. But it’s nice to know that he was speedy, but he could be still much quicker,” she told H&H.

“The terrain is tough, but it needs to be. When you do your Badmintons or Burghleys, you have a feel of how the horse’s stamina is. If they gallop easy round this, they are quite likely to be horses that will stay at Badminton or Burghley, which is what we’re wanting to do.”

Yasmin Ingham who was in second with Banzai Du Loir after dressage picked up 0.4 time-penalties in the showjumping and 8.8 time in the cross-country to finish in fourth on 36.8. Third after the dressage Selina Milnes and Iron IV had four-faults showjumping and 0.4 time penalties. The pair jumped clear across-country but collected 12.8 time, to finish on 45.4.

Ros Canter leads two classes after dressage at Blair Castle Horse Trials

Becky Murray — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 18:03:52 +0000

Reigning world champion Ros Canter is leading two classes after the dressage at the Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials.

Ros and the nine-year-old Lordships Graffalo, owned by Michele Saul, took an early lead in the CCI4*-S with 25.2 on Thursday (26 August) after a confident test. Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir are currently second on 27.6, while Selina Milnes and Iron IV are provisionally third on 28.2. Ros is also 10th with Jane and Christopher Makin’s Rehy Royal Diamond.

“I was over the moon with Lordships Graffalo,” said Ros, who was today (27 August) named on the European Championship squad with Allstar B, and has Lordships Graffalo as a reserve.

“He is a really lovely horse and I’m very privileged to have him. I’ve had him since he was three and I’ve loved him from day one. He’s really starting to strengthen up and what’s more exciting is there is more to come.”

Ros noted the gelding’s flying changes were a highlight in the test.

“He’s had his changes for a while, but they’ve been a bit ‘head up’ and not been very fluent – this was the first time in a test he felt really rideable,” she said.

Ros was leading the CCI3-*L on Thursday with her own and Alex Moody’s Izilot Dhi, but on Friday she produced another stunning test, this time with Sharon Bayston’s Shannondale Nadia to take the top spot – pushing Izilot Dhi into second.

“She’s a lovely horse, she had a win in the three-star at Houghton Hall in spring. I really nailed her dressage test there and I felt quite a bit of pressure today because I wanted to do it again,” said Ros about the nine-year-old mare.

“She’s kind of got a 10-minute window of opportunity, sometimes that’s after 20 minutes or sometimes it’s after 30 minutes so it was trying to gauge which one she was going to give me today. But I was really pleased with her. She’s getting lots more power.”

CCI2*-L

Sarah Bullimore leads the CCI2*-L on her husband Brett and the Seahorse Syndicate’s Evita AP on 26.5. The mare enjoyed an eventful start to her test when a jet fly-by took place as the pair began to walk around the outside of the arena.

“I did wonder whether that was going to send her over the edge. She was like ‘silly boys and their toys, we’ll ignore that’,” Sarah told H&H.

“She’s a lovely mare, such a trier. She’s a big girl and I think everyone looks at her and thinks she looks really sweet on the ground and a real dope on a rope, but actually she’s quite sharp when you ride her.”

Looking ahead to cross-country day, Sarah, who joins Ros on the roster for the European Championships with her homebred Corouet, said there’s just enough to catch the horses and riders out.

“There’s a couple of things on course that are just a little bit odd. With the water at fence nine, you haven’t seen that much and suddenly there’s a huge jump in, and there’s a fence on a mound at the top of the hill that’s a bit out of nowhere. It’s almost like it’s been dropped from space. I don’t think that’s going to look so pretty to ride, or be so comfortable for the horses, but you can just hope there’s enough fences afterwards to give them a nice easy trip again, put the confidence in, and come home well.”

CCI*-Intro

The CCI*-Intro proved a popular class, making its UK debut since the FEI introduced the lower level international class in 2020.

Grace Botterell and Diamond Pippin lead section E on 27.5, with Charlotte Cooke and Midnight Dancer II on top of section F on 27.

Grace, 16, enjoyed making her international debut on the 10-year-old mare, who was formerly ridden by her sister Lauren.

“She was wild in the warm-up, but she calmed down. She’s never been in this kind of atmosphere. So we’re really pleased with her she was so well behaved, I can’t fault her,” Grace told H&H.

“I was so pleased with the leg yields because we’ve been working hard on that. My mum Claire is our dressage trainer, which really helps. I’m excited for the cross-country, the track looks nice – there’s a few questions, but it’s what you’d expect. She loves her jumping, I think I’m going to need to take her for a canter tonight to make sure she’s not too excited!”

‘He tries his little socks off’: Nicola Wilson leads Blair Castle CCI4*-L after dressage

Becky Murray — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 17:48:57 +0000

Nicola Wilson and Erano M head the CCI4*-L after the dressage phase at the Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials (22-25 August).

Nicola and the 12-year-old gelding, owned by Rosemary Search and Lady Milne Coates’, produced a solid test for a score of 29.4. Lauren Innes and Global Fision M sit in second on 30.5, with Holly Richardson and Caraghs Buffet third on 30.6.

Nicola, who has had the ride on “Arnie” since 2016, was pleased with the gelding whom she describes as “inexperienced” at this level.

“There was a few bits and bobs that I could feel throughout the test that weren’t quite right, but on the whole he was super and felt very secure,” she told H&H.

“He did his first four-star long at Bicton (9-13 June) and went beautifully. Following that he’s felt more established than he did a few months back.”

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s cross-country (Saturday 28 August), Nicola – who was named today on Britain’s European Eventing Championships squad with JL Dublin – said “there’s an awful lot” to jump.

“Arnie is a really fun horse who is light on his feet. He’s a brave little horse and he usually tries his little socks off. We’re looking forward to tomorrow and seeing how the day goes,” she said.

“My owners and I love coming to Blair, it’s very special to us and we look forward to getting round the cross-country and hopefully having a bit of fun.”

Erano M is one of Nicola’s three rides at Blair. Following the dressage she is also fourth on Coolparks Sarco in the CCI4-S and sixth in the CCI3-L with Caunton Well Connected.

“The three horses I have here this year, they’re not used to this atmosphere. This is by far their biggest occasion so far and it’s just great for them to practise,” she said.

“I’m just thrilled all three of them have gone in and done solid tests. There’s always lots to work on, but they’ve been confident and nice tests. It’s lovely for theses horses to experience the atmosphere and having all the crowds again having not had them for 18 months now. It’s special for us all.”

Four event horses die after lorry collides with broken down horsebox

Becky Murray — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 14:20:44 +0000

The equestrian community has been rocked by the deaths of four event horses in a road traffic collision.

Nick Gauntlett’s Party Trick and Sophie Hulme’s Charisma TH, Farytale Cooley and Ice Cool Cooley were travelling to the Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials yesterday afternoon (24 August) when the horsebox broke down on the A9. A lorry on the road collided with the horsebox, resulting in the death of all four horses on board. Two men from the lorry were taken to hospital.

Party Trick was the nine-year-old stallion son of Badminton winner Chilli Morning and had competed at four-star level with Nick.

“My amazing family are fine and that is definitely the main thing,” Nick said in a statement. “But today we lost Party Trick having broken down just 30 minutes from Blair Castle. We sat on the grass verge and watched a lorry… plough into our truck. You don’t need the details but we lost all four horses on board.

“We are obviously all heartbroken. Lucy Morgan and Asha Riches-Wood, the emergency services, vets and people generally were amazing. Thank you everyone for your words of support and offers of help. The eventing world yet again proving what an amazing family it is.”

In a statement Sophie said she was at Blair when the collision happened.

“Three of my lovely horses, my precious babies are gone. Taken far too soon from this world. My beautiful Charisma and Feyre are gone and my lovely Fintan as well. I’m so sorry for Nick and [his wife] Amanda and for their loss,” it read.

“The world can be such a cruel place. My world is completely upside down at the moment. Thank you to everyone who has messaged and reached out to me. I am slowly working my way through all the messages. It’s going to be hard for a while and it’s going to be tough, but the best we can do is soldier on. Everyone please give your horses an extra hug and kiss from me as you never know what might happen.”

A Police Scotland spokesman told H&H officers were called to a report of a crash involving two lorries on the A9 at Cairney Brae, near Perth.

“Police, fire and ambulance attended and two men from one of the lorries were taken by Ninewells Hospital in Dundee,” he said.

“We can confirm that two of the horses died and two had to be euthanised by vets. The road was closed until around 9.30pm.”

New-look eventing festivals and qualifiers to ‘showcase grassroots talent’

Becky Murray — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 17:13:48 +0000

British Eventing has revealed how its recently announced Area Festivals format will give grassroots riders competing from BE80(T) to BE100 level an “inspiring goal” designed to “showcase talent”.

The Science Supplements Area Festivals will include “new look” BE80(T), BE90 and BE100 area qualifiers – replacing existing regional finals – and new area championships classes for BE80(T), BE80(T) open, BE90, BE90 open, BE100 and BE100 open.

The Area Festivals will run as standalone events, with courses of “championship technicality” and international-size dressage arenas.

“Following member feedback, collaborating with the rider working group 80-105 and in conjunction with the Event Riders Association, the Area Festivals will provide additional championship opportunities, plus the chance to compete at prestigious venues with an exciting competition atmosphere,” said a BE spokesman.

“The area qualifiers will bring together riders challenging for the BE90 and BE100 championship at Badminton and the BE80(T) championship”.

The spokesman said following a tender process in which 14 venues applied, the host venues are: Firle Place, Sussex (15-16 May), Frickley Park, South Yorkshire (19-20 June), Chillington Hall, Staffordshire/Shropshire border (26-27 June). A northern/Scottish venue will be announced soon.

Combinations can qualify for the area festival championships by achieving two double clears between 1 June 2019 and 30 April 2021, or by being placed in the top percentage, to be confirmed next year, of a normal BE80(T), BE90, BE90 open, BE100, and BE100 open in the same period.

In line with previous regional final qualifications, the top percentage, as yet unconfirmed, of eligible combinations placed at BE80(T), BE90 and BE100 events will be eligible to compete at area qualifiers. The top percentage of combinations then placed at the area qualifiers will go on to compete at the BE90 and BE100 championships held at Badminton and the BE80(T) championship. Those who already hold a regional final qualification will automatically be eligible to enter an area qualifier in 2021.

In addition to qualifying at the Area Festivals, competitors can qualify directly for the BE90 and BE100 championships at Badminton, at the Scottish Grassroots Championships at Blair Castle, Perthshire, and the BE90 and BE100 three-day event at Bicton Arena, Devon.

“This is such an exciting development for the sport and one which we hope will provide more of our members with an inspiring goal,” said BE chief executive Jude Matthews.

“I would like to extend my thanks to Science Supplements for their support of this initiative. As well as providing a new competition opportunity for grassroots riders in the creation of the area championships, the inclusion of the area qualifiers at the Area Festivals enables us to make these classes closer to the challenge that will be faced at the finals and create a bigger atmosphere for this stage of the qualification route.”

Ms Matthews added that BE had worked with its rider working group to take feedback and adapt the concept.

“Key feedback from our members has been that they would like more championship opportunities and for us to reward those who achieve consistent double clears,” she said.

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New festivals and series on the cards for grassroots eventers H&H Plus

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“We have also listened to feedback to provide area championship opportunities for those who are not eligible for the more restricted BE90 and BE100 championship and BE(80)T championships route by including open sections.”

Science Supplements group chief executive David Mitson said the company is delighted to be extending its relationship with BE and supporting grassroots riders.

“The Area Festivals will provide a further opportunity to showcase the range of talent among grassroots riders and give more members a championship to aim for.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

No British CCI4*-Ls this year as Covid-19 claims another major event

Pippa Roome — Wed, 20 May 2020 16:45:42 +0000

The Land Rover Blair Castle Horse Trials (27-30 August) has been cancelled owing to Covid-19.

With Bramham and Blenheim already off the agenda for 2020, there will be no CCI4*-L events in Britain this year.

“We know that this will come as an enormous disappointment, not only to the competitors, exhibitors, sponsors and spectators who were due to attend the event, but also to us as organisers and hosts,” said Blair’s statement.

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly – Blair Castle is an incredibly important event for the Scottish equestrian community and the local economy, but we need to prioritise the health and safety of everyone involved. We explored other ways to keep various competition elements, but it is important to us to host an inclusive event and it didn’t feel right to have Blair Castle without our spectators and trade exhibitors in attendance.

“We also want to take this opportunity to give a thank you to our event partners, especially Jaguar Land Rover who provide key support, which facilitates us to bring together the special event that is Blair Castle.”

Blair was due to run international classes CCI4*-L, CCI3*-L, CCI1*-Intro, CCI2*-L and CCI4*-S, as well as the Scottish Grassroots Festival. The event also encompasses affiliated showjumping, showing, numerous trade stands and a country fair.

Sarah Troughton, the head trustee at Atholl Estates, added this was “an unavoidable decision with the safety of the local community, all the riders and the many helpers and volunteers uppermost in our minds”.

She added: “The 2021 event [26-29 August 2021] will be all the more special and we look forward to seeing you then.”

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Britain still has 14 international eventing fixtures listed on the FEI calendar for 2020 (Alnwick Ford, Keysoe, Barbury, Bishop Burton, Burgham, Chilham Park, Somerford Park, Wellington, Burghley, Cornbury Park, South of England, Little Downham, Osberton and Bicton Arena), but it seems unlikely all will run as the Coronavirus pandemic continues to affect sport, and all aspects of life.

We are continuing to produce Horse & Hound as a weekly magazine during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as to keep our website at horseandhound.co.uk up to date with breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.

Emilie Chandler takes showcase class at Blair: ‘I’m thrilled he jumped clear for me’

Pippa Roome — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 15:56:26 +0000

Emilie Chandler concluded her pillar-to-post win in the CCI4*-L at the Land Rover Blair Castle Horse Trials today (Sunday, 25 August).

No one made the time in the showjumping in this class and Emilie piloted Maria Doel’s Gortfadda Diamond round just three seconds over the time to score a wide-margin victory.

“I’m thrilled he jumped clear for me — he was keener than I imagined he would be in the collecting ring and I almost thought I should have worked him this morning, but he was great in there,” said Emilie, who said she had been distracting herself by watching the British showjumpers in Rotterdam while she waited.

Rosa Onslow added just 0.8 of a time-fault to her score to confirm her second place on Diamond Sundance, with Simon Grieve taking third after just having the front bar off fence three and two time-faults on Mr Fahrenheit III.

The top three in the CCI3*-L all showjumped clear to hold their overnight positions, with Eleanor Hope taking first place above Victoria Wilson (Dont You Know) and Ashley Harrison (Zebedee IX).

Eleanor, who is also celebrating her 20th birthday today, rode her parents Margaret and Simon’s Limestone Romeo to victory.

“It was a long wait, I’m very relieved,” said Eleanor. “The two before me put the pressure on and we rattled a few, but he helped me out a lot.”

Hayden Hankey moved up from third to claim the CCI2*-L with Cartown Galaxy — in contrast to the CCI3*-L, he was the only one of the overnight top three to jump clear today.

“She was fantastic. I did feel confident — she’s an exceptional horse, so if you weren’t going to be confident on her, you’d never be confident on anything,” he said.

Scottish rider Morven Pringle rose from fifth overnight to second on Miss Contender, while Germany’s Josephine Schnaufer took third on Viktor 107 — although her overnight runner-up, Ronaldo IV, dropped to 10th when he took the front rails off number two and the last fence.

Polly Stockton led this class overnight, but struggled to balance Sir Alfred II and change legs round the corner to fence three and had it down, which sent her down to sixth.

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Emilie Chandler holds lead in CCI4*-L at Blair: ‘He kept galloping all the way’

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Astier Nicolas took the CCI4*-S for France, moving up from fourth after showjumping to top spot on Babylon De Gamma, who belongs to Etienne Grivot, Marielle Grivot Bize and his rider. He had the fastest round across country today, with just 5.6 time-faults.

“I always said he’s a top horse from when I started riding him and he proved it again today,” said Astier.

Sam Ecroyd held second on Davinci III, while two-phase leaders Daisy Berkeley and Ballinteskin Cooper S dropped to third with 11.2 time-faults.

Full report on Blair in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine (dated 29 August).

Emilie Chandler holds lead in CCI4*-L at Blair: ‘He kept galloping all the way’

Pippa Roome — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 16:54:04 +0000

Emilie Chandler keeps top spot in the CCI4*-L at the Land Rover Blair Castle Horse Trials after a fast cross-country round today (Saturday, 24 August).

Emilie and Maria Doel’s Gortfadda Diamond led after dressage by 1.5 penalties and extended their margin to 13.1 penalties after the only cross-country round with fewer than 10 time-penalties in this class. They added 3.2 to their 31.8 dressage score today.

“He was very good and kept his eyes on the line all the way round,” she said. “He never tired — he kept galloping all the way to the end and gave me a fantastic ride.”

Speaking about tomorrow’s showjumping, Emilie added: “He’s an out and out event horse — good at all three phases, but of course it depends how much today has taken out of him.”

Rosa Onslow has moved up from fourth after dressage to sit second overnight with Diamond Sundance, after finishing with 11.2 time-faults today.

Simon Grieve holds third in this class with Mr Fahrenheit III, who had 13.2 time-penalties across country.

A new face leads the CCI3*-L — Eleanor Hope rose from 13th after dressage with a clear round in the time today on Limestone Romeo. Eleanor turns 20 tomorrow.

“The course was big and long, but he was just point and shoot today — he’s a willing horse and always tries his best,” she said.

The only other fault-free rounds in the class came from Victoria Wilson (Dont You Know) and Ashley Harrison (Zebedee IX), who hold second and third. Dressage leader Astier Nicolas (Lumberton) dropped to 11th with a run-out at the corner out of the Malcolm Lochan.

Polly Stockton has moved up to first place in the CCI2*-L after a penalty-free round on Cressida Legge and Mafra Smithers’ Sir Alfred III.

The rider finished the day on the same score as second-placed Josephine Schnaufer of Germany with Ronaldo IV, but Polly has the upper hand because she crossed the line closer to the optimum time.

Hayden Hankey sits third in this class on Cartown Galaxy.

“I was four or five seconds up on the clock all the way, so could look after her down the hills,” he said.

The dressage leader, Emma Murray on Wainthropp, dropped out of the running in this class with a fall at the seal out of the first water combination, the Malcolm Lochan.

The three “long” classes all finish tomorrow with the showjumping phase.

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‘He was sharp — but I prefer that, it gives him presence’: Daisy Berkeley takes Blair lead

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Berkeley keeps four-star short lead

In the CCI4*-S class, Daisy Berkeley showjumped clear to retain her lead with Ballinteskin Cooper S, who is owned by Roxana Janet White and Mary Scott-Gall, as well as Daisy and her mother Caroline.

Behind her, Sam Ecroyd also went clear for second on Davinci III, while Astier Nicolas — who had been equal second with Sam after dressage — dropped to fourth with the second part of the double down on Babylon De Gamma. Wills Oakden has moved up from ninth after dressage to sit third, courtesy of his clear on Oughterard Cooley.

The competitors in this class conclude their competition with cross-country tomorrow.

More news from Blair on horseandhound.co.uk over the weekend, plus full report in next week’s magazine (dated 29 August).

‘He was sharp — but I prefer that, it gives him presence’: Daisy Berkeley takes Blair lead

Pippa Roome — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 16:07:15 +0000

Daisy Berkeley leads the CCI4*-S at the Land Rover Blair Castle Horse Trials after the culmination of the dressage today (Friday, 23 August).

The British Olympian put in an assured test on the 10-year-old Ballinteskin Cooper S, who is owned by Roxana Janet White and Mary Scott-Gall, as well as Daisy and her mother Caroline. The pair scored 30.4, which puts them just 0.1 of a penalty ahead of the chasing pack.

“I’m really pleased — although I got a fly in my eye after the half pirouette and when I tried to get it out, he jogged,” said Daisy. “But I would rather have him a bit sharp than lazy. It’s no fun when they are lazy and he has more presence when he’s sharp.”

Daisy rode Ballinteskin Cooper S here last year, running slowly across country to be sure of a qualification, but had not been at the venue since 2011 before that.

“I love Blair — the ground is amazing and the hills are always testing,” she said. “It’s like trotting on one of those waxy surfaces.”

France’s Astier Nicolas (Babylon De Gamma) and Britain’s Sam Ecroyd (Davinci III) sit in joint second behind Daisy, having both scored 30.5.

The showjumping for this class takes place tomorrow, with the cross-country on Sunday.

Astier also leads the CCI3*-S, riding SARL Ecurie Jean Louis Bouchard’s Lumberton, who the rider described as “very cool bloke – very laidback in all three phases”.

Chandler heads four-star long

Emilie Chandler heads the small CCI4*-L, which has just nine starters, riding Maria Doel’s Gortfadda Diamond, another 10-year-old. The pair scored 31.8.

She said: “He is a really classy horse who has just stepped up to this level this season. The loudspeaker crackled really loudly during our test, which unsettled us both, but I’m thrilled to be in the lead, even if it wasn’t our best test.”

Overnight leader Emma Murray held her lead through the final session of CCI2*-L this morning, finishing the day as the only international competitor in any class to have broken the 30-barrier after she scored 28.6 yesterday on her husband Shaun’s Wainthropp. The Aberdeenshire rider took over the horse when Shaun broken his collarbone in May.

“Blair is my favourite event so I thought we’d come here and have a nice time,” said Emma. “She’s good at dressage – we are going to the British Dressage National Championships at Stoneleigh at elementary level in two weeks’ time – but I didn’t expect to be out in front.”

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All the competitors in the “long” classes run across country tomorrow and showjump on Sunday.

More news from Blair on horseandhound.co.uk over the weekend, plus full report in next week’s magazine (dated 29 August).

The Blair-bound blog — my first one-star: things didn’t go to plan

Louise Evans — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 09:55:17 +0000

Hi guys,

So today did not go as well as we had hoped for. I will explain fully a bit later on but all I can say is I am unbelievably proud of my big softy. He got round most of the course, even when he wasn’t feeling his best and for both our first CCI* that’s not a bad feeling.

Feu has always struggled with travelling. Having travelled to a few events further afield last year I’ve experienced him being completely drained on the cross-country and nothing like the jumping machine he normally is. This season we thought we’d cracked it, hence why we came to Blair, but unfortunately I think it made an appearance once again.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Going into the warm-up he was forward but quite spooky. I thought it might have just been a reaction to the new format of tackling a CCI (doing phases on different days); but in hindsight I just think he wasn’t firing on all cylinders, even at the start. We started later than originally planned, due to some falls which therefore held the course. As ever, the FEI stewards were so kind and welcoming and kept me updated with the status of the course.

Feu started confidently and jumped the first three fences beautifully, but he took a pretty heavy whack at the upright gate at 4b. The frangible pins didn’t go, but for a minute I was concerned they might have. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I think I that knock was an early warning sign. He jumped fences five, six and seven beautifully (fence seven was a massive open ditch), but from then on things started to head downhill, having a stop at the first part of fence eight. He just shut down on me coming into it, but we span around and jumped second time. We then jumped fence nine and 10 well. I’d been worried about fence 10 and is was a double of corners, one left-handed and the next right. Again, fences 11-16 he cleared nicely but unfortunately at 17 we picked up another refusal at the ditch. He can be sticky at ditches but again, I thought it was something we’d cracked. I think the fact that by now he was definitely feeling tired had a part to play. We got over it but got eliminated at fence 18. Annoying, but such a learning curve.

Coming home (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Honestly I can say that I’m not disheartened by the experience and it’s one that I will remember! I think Blair is one event that we will definitely be back again for next year. Everything is so beautifully organised, even down to the fact that ice is supplied in large freezers for after the cross-country, which is something I’ve never experienced at any competition before. We are now making the long journey home, where Feu will have a short break in the field before aiming at some more intermediates before the end of the season.

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(Image credit: Julia Shearwood Photography)

The Blair-bound blog — my first one-star: I couldn’t be prouder

The dressage is done for Louise and Feu, and it brought her mum close to tears

It was lovely to go cross-country with large crowds who clapped at different stages of the course as we went round. It was also great that friends at home could watch my round on the live stream. It was such a wonderful moment to experience for the first time, and gave me a real buzz as a rider.

Feu back at home (Image credit: creditUnknown)

As we packed up to head home, we managed to catch the tail end of the CIC3* ERM, and it was great to watch the top riders giving complete master classes as to how to ride the course. As well as this, we caught some pure showjumping in the main arena, which was nice to watch too.

Thank you all for following us on our journey to Blair, even if it didn’t end as planned, but there were a lot of positives to take from our experience.

Louise

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Tim Price showjumps clear to win Blair CCI3* with ‘under-the-radar’ horse

Pippa Roome — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 20:09:48 +0000

One pole down proved decisive at the top of the leaderboard in the CCI3* at the Land Rover Blair International Horse Trials this afternoon (Sunday, 26 August). Tom McEwen dropped to second when he had the planks down with Strike Smartly, while Tim Price moved up from third overnight to win with a clear round on Pats Jester.

The winner, a 10-year-old who belongs to Therese Miller, Jo Preston-Hunt, Philip Hunt and his breeder Kate Maitland, also won the CCI3* at Ballindenisk last year.

“He’s a bit of an under-the-radar type of horse, he doesn’t shine or bling at anything, but he’s always been a consistent performer,” said Tim. “He’s got all the ability, its just a case of squeezing it out of him.”

Tom said he “couldn’t be happier” with his two horses after Figaro Van Het Broekxhof also finished fourth having had the planks down.

“They jumped super, I just couldn’t jump planks today,” he said.

Izzy Taylor’s one fence down elevated her one spot to third with Director General.

“He jumped very well and I’m delighted with him,” she said.

Piggy French held her lead with a clear to take the CCI2* on Jennifer Saunders’ Cooley Monsoon and was also fault-free on Castletown Clover to keep third.

The top three in this class were unchanged from the overnight leaderboard as Tom McEwen and CHF Cooliser also showjumped clear.

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New Zealand’s James Avery confirmed his win in the CCI* with a clear on Lizzie Edwards’ Seaflower.

“She touched a few in warm-up, so I just took a bit more time in the ring today and she really tried her heart out,” said James.

Nicola Wilson claimed second on JL Dublin, with Paul Sims third on G Star Van De Klinkenburg.

Full report from Blair in H&H this Thursday (issue dated 30 August), plus our complete World Equestrian Games preview.

Tom McEwen tops Blair CCI3* after cross-country: ‘Strike Smartly was phenomenal’

Pippa Roome — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 18:05:29 +0000

Tom McEwen is poised to take the CCI3* at the Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials after a cross-country clear inside the time today (Saturday, 25 August) on dressage leader Strike Smartly.

“He was absolutely phenomenal and I couldn’t have asked any more of him,” said Tom of Penny and Fred Barker’s horse. “He was straight as a die and bold, stretched out when needed and cruised along the bottom.”

Tom will have to fend off Izzy Taylor (Director General) and Tim Price (Pats Jester) tomorrow to take the class — both also went clear inside the time today, so are within one showjump of him.

Piggy French still leads the CCI2* after going clear inside the time on Jennifer Saunders’ Cooley Monsoon.

“He’s 100% genuine and a lovely horse to work with,” she said. “We brought him here for a step up from Tattersalls — it’s an old-fashioned cross-country and the terrain plays a big part, which is great to see. This is a good step for having to dig that extra big deeper in fitness and a good bridge to our next plans.”

Tom McEwen also held onto the runner-up spot with CHF Cooliser, but third-placed Polly Stockton dropped down the order after she and Drummer had a run-out at the second of the double of corners, sponsored by Gilespie Macandrew, at fence 11.

This means Piggy has two horses in the top three as she went clear inside the time on her first ride Castletown Clover, who moved up from fourth after dressage to third.

The top 13 places in the CCI* are unaltered after today’s cross-country produced plenty of clears in the time and New Zealand’s James Avery still heads the field with Lizzie Edwards’ Seaflower.

“She’s not run round lots of hills before so I’m really pleased with her and the course was awesome,“ said James, who does not have a fence in hand heading into tomorrow’s showjumping.

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Oliver Townend landed the first class to finish at Blair this week when he won the CIC3* riding the Hazeldines and the Mitchell Fox Group’s Tregilder, an eight-year-old who was contesting his first three-star.

As planned, Oliver withdrew his top four horses after the showjumping. At this stage he lay ninth on Tregilder, but he moved up thanks to the only cross-country round inside the optimum time over Alec Lochore’s track.

“He showjumped very professionally — he knows exactly where the pole is and where his legs are and let me help him where he needs help,” said Oliver.

“I didn’t know where I was on my minute markers across country, but I gave him time to breathe up the hill and every time he jumped a skinny I just moved him up a gear. I couldn’t believe it when I crossed the line and looked at my watch.”

Full report from Blair in H&H this week (issue dated 30 August) plus complete World Equestrian Games preview.

Oliver Townend leads Blair ERM after dressage despite test feeling ‘disastrous’

Pippa Roome — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 11:57:20 +0000

Oliver Townend leads after the Event Rider Masters (ERM) dressage at the Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials, despite feeling his test hadn’t gone to plan.

Riding Sally-Anne Egginton’s Cillnabradden Evo, Oliver scored 26.4, which gives him a margin of 0.5 of a penalty over second-placed Chris Burton.

“He wasn’t with me at all, but it’s nice if you feel like you’re having a disaster and you come out in the lead,” said Oliver. “He’s feeling very bright, which is good for some bits but not for dressage.”

Australia’s Chris Burton performed an elegant test with the syndicate-owned Graf Liberty.

“He can do a very good test — he’s nice and relaxed,” said Chris, who is the current ERM series leader going into this final leg. “It does put the pressure on when you put a series together like this.”

Emily King holds third with Jane del Missier’s Dargun on 27.1.

“He’s such a special little horse — he’s listening to you all the time and every year he gets stronger so he can perform the movements with more flow and cadence,” said Emily.

Laura Collett, who is second on the series leaderboard, is in fifth with London 52.

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New Zealand’s eventing power couple Tim and Jonelle Price were left jokingly wondering if they were feeding their horses too much when both Wesko and Cloud Dancer were a little over the top in the arena. Tim, who is third on the series leaderboard, holds eighth position and Jonelle is in ninth.

Ground jury president Les Smith admitted he “expected better” from the today’s dressage.

“We had some good work out of some, but the horses were fairly tense,” he said.

Full report from Blair in H&H next week (issue dated 30 August), plus complete World Equestrian Games preview.

The Blair-bound blog — my first one-star: I couldn’t be prouder

Louise Evans — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 09:55:15 +0000

Me again!

It was the first official day of competition for us yesterday (Friday) with our dressage in the morning. I couldn’t decide the night before whether to give Feu a gentle leg stretch before our test at 9.42am, but in the end I thought the better of it. I headed down to the stables at 7.30am to feed and plait him ready for his test.

We’ve managed to perfect a new quarter mark pattern of a checker board; which actually really suits Feu. Due to the fact that I am acting as rider and groom for Blair, I had all of my competition gear on with waterproofs over the top, which we whipped off before I got on — an ideal method for keeping clean, especially for me as I seem to be able to get my white breeches dirty within five minutes of putting them on!

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The warm up for the dressage was unlike any other I have been to and suited Feu and I perfectly. The main warm up is in one of the further fields and with about 10 minutes to go until your test, you move into a smaller warm up right by the arena. Here there are full size dressage arenas set up (complete with white boards) where the last few minutes before your test are spent having one final run through. This really worked for us as Feu needs quite a lot of warming up; with a more intense session just before we go in.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

For someone who really enjoys their jumping, I loved every moment of being in the main arena doing my test; it was such a special moment and it actually made mum come close to tears.

Feu did a super test, with our best international mark of 39.4 leaving us in a competitive position heading into today’s cross-county. We’ve worked so hard on Feu’s counter canter, and today it paid off. Two weeks ago when I went to my dressage trainer, Sara-Jane Lanning, Feu couldn’t even manage the short side in counter canter without breaking, but today he cracked it all and managed all of the counter canter without fault. There were a few other blips here and there but all in all I couldn’t be prouder of him. He even managed a square halt at the end!

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Having managed to dodge the rain, we then all headed out on course walk. Mum and I had tried to walk it on Thursday but with the grassroots event on, a lot of rope needed moving ready for our course — so all in all it got a bit confusing and we gave up. Today however, the course is all ready and looking fantastic. It’s a really lovely flowing course with a few technical questions, so we’ll see how it goes.

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The Blair-bound blog — my first one-star: trying to contain ourselves

Louise and Feu have enjoyed a day off competing before everything gets underway for them today

We’ve managed to find the food hall here at Blair and so have stocked up the lorry with various types of bread and cheese which we’d finished yesterday, and managed to watch some more showing at the same time.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

I gave Feu a leg stretch yesterday afternoon ready for today — I just hoping he’s in his usual keen frame of mind when it’s our turn to to cross-country. I tried out my new competition gloves, generously given to me by Just Chaps and I will be using them today too, so I hope they bring me luck! I’ve got to try and relax now and let what will be, be.

Louise

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Clean sweep: Oliver Townend holds top three places after CIC3* dressage at Blair Castle

Pippa Roome — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 16:52:32 +0000

Oliver Townend dominated completely in the CIC3* dressage today (Friday, 24 August) at the Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials. He holds the top three places at the end of the day on the horses with whom he was long-listed — but not selected — for the British squad for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) next month.

Oliver leads the way on Angela Hislop’s Kentucky CCI4* winner Cooley Master Class (24.4), with Cooley SRS (24.5) and Ballaghmor Class (25.3) close behind. He is also sixth on MHS King Joules (29).

“There are still another three or four marks to come from Cooley Master Class,” he said. “I had him a little bright and I didn’t give him the best ride, I didn’t think, but he’s beautiful to ride. I know him very well and he knows me very well so he’s pretty push button, so it’s just getting the right work into him. But I couldn’t be happier with him.

“He has come on again since Kentucky both mentally and physically — he’s never moved better and physically never been in such a good place.”

Oliver has five horses still entered for Burghley — Cooley Master Class, Cooley SRS, Ballaghmor Class, MHS King Joules and Ulises — and has not yet decided which he will ride. He will not run any of these top horses across country here at Blair, although eight-year-old Tregilder, currently in 12th, will take on the test.

“The five for Burghley are all sound and well, touch wood,” he said. “They will have a final gallop on Monday afternoon, and do some quiet work and pop a fence on Tuesday. It’s an unbelievable position to be in and I’m struggling to believe all five are so well. We are lucky to be able to run three at Burghley — it’s something we can’t do at Badminton, but Burghley are very accommodating.”

McEwen holds top spot in CCI3*

British WEG rider Tom McEwen leads the CCI3*. This class’s dressage wrapped up yesterday, when Tom and Strike Smartly scored 26.9. The 11-year-0ld grey is owned by Penny and Fred Barker.

“He’s been very regular with his scores as it’s come together with his strength and me getting to know him a bit more as he was a new ride last year,” said Tom. “The walk and canter were the highlights of his test.”

Another Cooley horse heads up the CCI2* after the first phase, with Piggy French piloting Jennifer Saunders’ Cooley Monsoon to a score of 25.1.

In the CCI*, James Avery and Seaflower retain their lead from yesterday on a score of 25.2. The New Zealander rides the seven-year-old for Lizzie Edwards.

“Seaflower is a little pocket rocket,” said James. “She’s by Sir Donnerhall so was bred for dressage which explains her great paces. She’s super talented and will hopefully enjoy the Blair hills and take it all in her stride.”

Article continues below…

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The Blair-bound blog — my first one-star: trying to contain ourselves

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Competitors in the CCI classes all run across country round Blair’s famous hills tomorrow before showjumping on Sunday. The CIC3* riders will showjump and then go cross-country to complete their competition tomorrow afternoon.

Blair also hosts the final leg of the 2018 Event Rider Masters (ERM) this weekend, with the ERM pairs doing dressage tomorrow and both jumping phases on Sunday. Oliver rides Cillnabradden Evo in this class.

Full report on Blair in next week’s H&H (dated 30 August) plus our complete World Equestrian Games preview.

The Blair-bound blog — my first one-star: trying to contain ourselves

Louise Evans — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 13:24:40 +0000

Hi guys,

So yesterday (Thursday 23 August) was a relatively quiet day for us as our dressage is not until today. The lorry park and stables were very quiet in the morning as it was pouring with rain. The weather was interesting yesterday and it can’t seem to make up its mind — one minute it’s warm and sunny; the next blowing a gale and hammering rain. Although slightly difficult to decide when to ride, it did provide spectacular rainbows over the backdrop of Blair Castle.

On our arena walk (Image credit: creditUnknown)

This morning Feu and I went for a dressage school and again worked through our test for tomorrow. He went really well, if a bit keen so I’ve changed his bit over in case he perks up in the arena. It was interesting trying to warm up a keen jumping horse when the cross-country warm up fences were being put in place! But we managed to contain ourselves.

Having ridden early it allowed us to have a day to enjoy the shopping village and various other events that were put on. We found ourselves stood for some time watching the beautiful heavyweight hunters doing their thing in the show ring. It was lovely to also have the grassroots eventing here too, adding to the atmosphere. I keep overhearing the other non-international competitors saying that they are off to ride with the big eventers — I keep forgetting that it includes me!

Feu enjoying a hand graze (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Having the shopping village here is great, if a bit too tempting, as anything you might have forgotten is here. I’d been meaning to bring hairspray with us for Feu’s quarter marks but somehow this got forgotten. So luckily we managed to pick up some quarter mark spray as well as a bridle hook for the stable.

Continues below…

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The Blair-bound blog — my first one-star: rubbing shoulders with big names

Louise and Feu have settled into their week in Scotland, and have completed their first ever trot-up

Yesterday evening, Feu and I did our arena familiarisation and had a wander around the white boards and then I gave him a final tune up before tomorrow in the practice arenas in the warm up field.

Doing some flatwork (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Last night we also went to a party in the catering marquee which was fun and games.

Everything is set now for our dressage today and I’ll let you all know how it goes!

Louise

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

The Blair-bound blog — my first one-star: rubbing shoulders with big names

Louise Evans — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 09:55:14 +0000

Hi everyone,

So our first full day here (Wednesday) at Blair Castle International Horse Trials is over. Apart from a brief spell of rain in the early hours of yesterday morning, the sun came out and the weather was glorious.

Feu and I went for a ride yesterday morning and we were out for 45 minutes. He was quite fresh so after a few trips up the gallop, he settled into some flatwork and worked through most of the elements of our test. In the test we have counter canter half circles, which he has always struggled with. Yesterday morning he’d clearly slept well and was showing off his counter canter to everyone. All of the other riders here are so welcoming and it’s so easy to find someone to ride with — all very sociable.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Seeing as he’d had a long journey up here, I was keen not to ride him before the trot-up. So I headed over to start getting him ready and plait him at 1.15pm for the trot-up, which started at 2.30pm. Feu is a very tidy boy in the stable and so we didn’t have to worry too much about scrubbing his legs to get him clean, even though they are white. We also took some time trying out a new quarter mark stencil which we made. Unfortunately they didn’t stay in place and so I ended up doing a check board, which still looked lovely.

With Feu looking all smart, it was time for me to get ready. Last year spectating at Burghley we bought a beautiful tweed jacket from Laurie & Jules. Paired with white jeans and my brown boots, I hope we looked smart!

Feu and I at the trot-up (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Everyone here at Blair is incredibly helpful and kind, and having found out that this is our first time competing at a CCI (three-day) event, they have been freely offering up advice and helpful comments. The trot-up was an interesting experience for us. Numbers are called in batches and you head through the horse walk into a holding arena. Once there, it is full of people walking and trotting up their horses so that they are ready. You are then called into the main arena in order and you walk around the arena to the far end. From here, the trot-up commences. It was truly a really lovely experience to witness first-hand, after only seeing the trot-ups done at Badminton and Burghley.

Feu was impeccably behaved in the trot-up but got quite fired up when we walked into the arena, but he managed to contain himself for the moment it mattered. We passed!

The drinks party (Image credit: creditUnknown)

During the day we also managed to have a wander around the shopping village which had just opened, as our terrier puppy, Arlo is feeling the cold up here in Scotland and so we bought him a Newmarket fleece to keep him warm.

Continues below…

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The Blair-bound blog — my first one-star: after two days of travelling, we have arrived

Louise and Feu have arrived at their first three-day event after the long journey to Scotland

Last night we went up to the castle for the drinks reception, which had a lovely atmosphere and it was really nice to be among some big names too. I get the feeling from speaking to various people, that once you come to Blair, you seem to come back again and again as it’s such a lovely event.

Today will be a day of schooling Feu for his dressage tomorrow morning and I will let you know how our day pans out.

Louise

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

The Blair-bound blog — my first one-star: after two days of travelling, we have arrived

Louise Evans — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 09:55:01 +0000

Hi guys,

Our adventures have started and we have arrived at Blair Castle. We left the yard on Monday at 5am and got a fairly clear run north, only occasionally encountering a bit of traffic. We had originally planned to make two stops on our way, but having ended up stationary on the A46 for half an hour, we were able to give Feu water and drop his head. As a result we cracked on with our journey and stopped at Catterick Bridge Racecourse where Feu stuffed himself with grass and had a good leg stretch, meaning he was very quiet for the rest of the journey.

Last night we stayed at Alex Barr’s yard in Lesmahagow, where Feu had a stable for the night and a leg stretch in their arena in the morning before making our final part of the journey to Blair Castle.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

We all had a good night, apart from a brief interlude at around midnight when our terrier puppy decided to try have a conversation with an owl. Apart from that it was a peaceful night and allowed us to test out our sleeping locations for the next five nights. Feu had a great night and seemed fresh when we arrived at Blair yesterday afternoon.

The journey from Alex’s yard only took two and a half hours so we arrived at 12.30pm. The lorry is parked in the first row so we have a great view of the cross-country course. The somewhat previously problematic gazebo is now set up ready for our first meal here this evening. Feu has settled in well, loving the green Scottish grass and scalped his stable at the first opportunity. We had a quick look around the empty stables when we arrived and Feu is stabled in some very good company! We might learn some tips from the top level horses across from him.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Because we managed to have a ride at Alex’s yesterday morning, it was a perfect opportunity to have a brief explore here at Blair in the afternoon and allowed us to soak in the surroundings and get our bearings. Feu and I went for a hack around and wander up the gallop. He’s all loosened off and is feeling on fine form. He did get very excited when our ride took us near the cross-country warm up — his favourite phase by far!

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Feu was happy in his stable having had dinner while we found the showers and I am pleased to say that the showers are steaming hot — a great relief after experiencing freezing cold showers at a previous event.

Continues below…

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The Blair-bound blog — my first one-star: last-minute brakes testing and a gazebo disaster

Louise is preparing for the two-day journey to Scotland

Sat here, under the gazebo, it’s quite satisfying to watch everyone arriving — from the big names to the small and being slightly smug among the chaos that we are all set for our week ahead. I have a couple of friends due to arrive shortly with their horses, meaning that exercising today might be a rather sociable affair, instead of on our own, as per usual. It’s also especially nice that Mike Jackson, who used to ride Feu before me, is only stabled next door.

I’ve managed to have a brief look at the cross-country course while we were on our ride but we are planning to walk it in full later today, to allow for a more in depth view, as well as exploring more of the event and having a good look around.

I will update you all on what I think of the course, along with pictures and updates from our trot up this afternoon (we are number 151).

Louise

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

The Blair-bound blog — my first one-star: last-minute brakes testing and a gazebo disaster

Louise Evans — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 09:55:42 +0000

Hi guys,

The countdown begins to our leaving date for Blair Castle Horse Trials. The past week has been filled with lessons and appointments, making sure that Feu and I are performing at our best and ready to run this week. It’s now just a case of sorting the mammoth task of what food to take with us and packing everything we need for Feu.

Last Saturday we managed to slot in a quick cross-country schooling session at Tweseldown. Having looked at last year’s cross-country course photos of Blair we fine-tuned our training to the specific fences we might encounter in Scotland. These included jumping a fence in water, a ditch-rail-ditch combination, as well as a number of corners and skinnies.

Feu cross-country schooling (Image credit: creditUnknown)

He went beautifully, filling us both with the confidence we needed for next week. This was also a perfect opportunity to triple check that our new brakes work! (currently he is in a long shank hackamore combination with a chain around the back). We’ve also had a final dressage training session with Sara-Jane Lanning, just tweaking our test to try and achieve the best mark we can — we were both exhausted after being put through our paces but very pleased with the results, and it was perfect that Sara-Jane has the white boards set up to practice in.

Cressy has been amazing and managed to fit in two jumping lessons for us this week too. The first being a grid session just to sharpen Feu and I up, and the second was jumping more of a course. I find that having two lessons the week running up to an event really helps us, as Feu is so keen on his jumping, we don’t tend to jump him much in between events. It’s just a case of remembering to have him forward and off the leg but keeping enough in the hand that he doesn’t go flat — no mean feat with a very enthusiastic jumper! Our most recent lesson yesterday was working on jumping around a course at 1.30m with a few 1.40m fences too. This was ideal for boosting our confidence.

Feu jumping at home (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Feu also had a routine physio session on Wednesday to ease him off ready for the trip with Jenny Wilson at Bridgefield Physiotherapy, who has been treating him since we got him a year and a half ago. We’ve worked so hard at building up Feu’s back end; to within reason! We realised that sending him to the water treadmill over the winter left us with a very fit and muscled horse, but with no brakes! Slight problem there.

Feu jumping at home (Image credit: creditUnknown)

The lorry has had a full cleaning and is gradually being packed ready for the off on Monday morning (today!). I am pleased to say that the curtain is taking pride of place in the front of the lorry after taking me a whole afternoon to finish. A small issue arose with the gazebo which we had bought, but what’s an adventure without a few challenges to throw a spanner in the works! It turns out that the gazebo which we had originally bought turned out to weigh 46kg and was far too big. So last Monday morning, mum and I drove the three hours to Northampton to get it sorted and exchange it for a much lighter 18kg version — phew!

Continues below…

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NEW The Blair-bound blog — my first one-star: everything, including the kitchen sink

Meet our new blogger as she prepares to tackle her first one-star in just a couple of week’s time...

Today (Saturday prior to leaving for Blair) has been a day of finalising our route up to Blair. We’ve realised that Feu isn’t the best traveller and so needs a few days to rest before competing. We’ve managed to find two racecourses to stop at where we can unload Feu and graze in-hand. Stu has been amazing at the yard and has sorted accommodation for Feu and I for the Monday night at a friend of his. This means that we will take two days to travel to Blair, giving Feu the best chance once we arrive.

I will keep you all updated with our journey to Blair and throughout the event. I hope you will continue to follow us on our adventures.

Louise

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

NEW The Blair-bound blog — my first one-star: everything, including the kitchen sink

Horse & Hound — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 09:55:28 +0000

Hi guys,

Let me introduce myself; I’m Louise, I’m 22 and based in Surrey. I have recently graduated from the University of Portsmouth studying business management and I am currently job searching but enjoying the summer to train my horse, Feu. He is an eight-year-old 17.2hh KWPN, affectionately known on the yard as Mr. Feu, or Captain Sensible, and together we are off to compete in our first CCI1* at Blair Castle, in Scotland (23-26 August).

Apart from having one intermediate prep-run leading up to Blair, this will be the highest level competition we have both ever competed in, and not to forget — the furthest away too!

It’s been a huge logistical exercise making sure that Feu and I are both leaving in tip top condition and prepped, ready to run.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

The past four weeks we’ve been upping our training programme, going to the gallops twice a week to prepare for the longer cross-country course and the infamous Scottish hills!

As well as this, we’ve been filling the past two weeks with more intensive training. Feu is an absolute machine of a jumper and so this season we have racked up a pretty consistent showjumping record, as well as a pretty good cross-country record (with a few blips early on due to having no brakes). The dressage phase requires a lot of work on both our parts and so we’ve slotted in a couple of dressage lessons with my fabulous trainer Sara-Jane Lanning, fine tuning our test for Blair.

For 14 months now, we’ve been based with Cressy and Stuart Neads, who are international showjumpers and travel globally. As evidence by our showjumping record, Cressy has worked absolute wonders with the both of us, and it’s fantastic that she has previously evented herself at Badminton and Burghley as Cressy Clague-Reading. She’s been a fountain of knowledge for us, passing me on all of her tips for Blair and we will be having a couple of tune up sessions with her before we leave.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

With the green light on for our trip to Blair, these coming weeks have also been filled with making sure we are able and set to make the long 500+ mile journey. Our wonderful mechanics, Agricom have been out to check that the lorry is in good nick ready for the journey there — bearing in mind we’ll be transporting Feu, myself, mum, dad, our two dogs and all of our kit. We’ve been stocking up the lorry with all of the items we will need as well as ordering a gazebo so that we can eat by the lorry come rain or shine, and a grill to cook the food — the lorry is fully kitted out inside but with three of us sleeping in there and two dogs, cooking is going to make it a tight squeeze.

I’ve also been tasked with making a set of curtains for the lorry to stop the light coming in through the cab, so soon it will be time to whip out the sewing machine and attempt to remember how to make curtains thanks to my year nine textiles skills! It’s also a case of trying to figure out a way to stop our 11-month-old Parsons terrier puppy from joining us in bed at the early hours of the morning, which could add to my challenges.

One of the last jobs we have to do is a trip to our local equestrian suppliers to get all of those things that you find you still need; more studs, hairnets, buckets…

This adventure is of great excitement to us and I hope that you will follow us on our journey and I will keep updated each step of the way.

Louise

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

‘Mistakes happen’: scoring error means wrong rider ‘won’ Blair

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 13:58:21 +0000

The organisers of Blair Castle Equi-Trek International Horse Trials (24-27 August) have apologised “unreservedly” for a judging error which meant the wrong rider was crowned CIC3* winner.

Harriet Wright, 18, and Ngong Hills took the title by 3.9 penalties from Matthew Heath on Cooley Lord Lux.

Harriet’s final score of 66.7 included four penalties for knocking down one showjump. But when the teenager watched a video of her round after she arrived home from the event, she realised she had in fact lowered two fences.

This meant Matthew should have won by 0.1 of a penalty but although Harriet rang Blair as soon as she realised the mistake, FEI rules mean the result stands.

“I’d rattled a few in the showjumping but when I came out and asked my mum how many I’d had down, she said one and the announcer said one,” Harriet told H&H.

“I looked at her video and it showed one down, so I didn’t think anything of it.”

But when she later saw another video, taken from a spot with a clearer view of the whole arena, Harriet realised the mistake.

“My heart sank but I stayed true to myself; I had to call,” she said. “Some people were saying don’t phone but it wouldn’t have been like winning; I want to win on my own merits.”

Harriet said she is “really chuffed” to have come second at that level, and that she would like to win for real next year.

“And the horse still thinks he’s won it!” she added. “I can’t knock him.

“I was going to do Osberton but I think I’ll save his legs for next year; I’d love to do an Event Rider Masters.

“I’m pleased too that I’ve done the right thing; I want to win by winning, not because of a mistake like this.”

Matthew said it is unfortunate Cooley Lord Lux’s owner Hazel Livesey missed out on the win, which would have been the rider’s first international victory.

“It’s one of those things that shouldn’t have happened but mistakes do happen,” he told H&H. “Harriet’s been very apologetic and was very open as soon as she found out, fair play to her for ringing up, and everyone’s dealt with a bad situation really well.

“It’s disappointing not to have the win but I’ve got a good team of horses who will hopefully be doing well.”

Blair confirmed the “error in scoring”.

“Harriet herself contacted the organisers, having seen a video of her round,” a statement added.

“Until that moment she was unaware that two poles had come down.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Teenager wins Blair Castle CIC3*: ‘I think my horse shed a tear as well!’

The fastest cross-country round gave victory to Harriet

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“Matthew Heath and Cooley Lord Lux’s owner, Mrs Hazel Livesey, have been very understanding. According to FEI rules, the result from the day as signed off stands.

“Blair Horse Trials has made the appropriate financial recompense and apologises unreservedly for this judging error.”

British three-star first-timer comes out on top at Blair Castle Horse Trials

Pippa Roome — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 19:47:18 +0000

Hazel Towers achieved a CCI3* victory on her first attempt at the level today at the Blair Castle Equi-Trek International Horse Trials, confirming her win with one showjump down.

None of the seven remaining in this class showjumped clear, but Hazel and Simply Smart’s four faults at the first part of the treble at fence 10 left them four penalties clear of runner-up Louise Harwood (Balladeer Miller Man).

“Winning this class means everything – all the hard work has paid off,” said Hazel.

Louise had fence eight down and three time-faults, but held second. Alice Dunsdon and Sambo III dropped a rank to fourth with eight faults, while last year’s CCI2* winners Caroline Clarke and Touch Too Much pulled up one spot to third when just 10c fell for them.

CCI2*

Australia’s Shane Rose scored his second win of the afternoon after taking the Event Rider Masters when he showjumped clear to overhaul Emily King in the CCI2*.

Shane’s ride was Gurtera Cher, who he has been riding instead of the injured Sam Griffiths.

“I’m excited for her future with Sam as I think she’s a proper four-star horse for him and you can never have enough of them,” he said.

Emily and Walitze F Vejgard just hit the wavy planks at fence four to drop to second.

Oliver Townend jumped out of order on Tregilder, who was seventh overnight, and ended up finishing third on him, while his fourth-placed ride Khoi Traveler dropped to seventh with two down.

“I couldn’t be happier with him,” said Oliver of seven-year-old Tregilder, who he has ridden since he was four.

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Wow! Watch this rider replace his lost bridle during his showjumping round

CCI*

Emily Parker jumped clear to win the CCI* with David Mactaggart’s Highly Delighted. She was second overnight, but moved up when overnight leader Carlos Parro took the back rail off the oxer at fence three to drop to third with Sir Digby.

“He wasn’t enjoying the sticky ground outside, so I wasn’t that confident, but he jumped as well as he could have on the conditions,” said Emily.

US rider Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp was also fault-free to move up from sixth to second on Gorsehill Cooley.

“He’s for sale now and you couldn’t ask for a more genuine jumper,” said Elisabeth.

Full report from Blair in H&H next week (issue dated 31 August).

Shane Rose claims an Aussie first at Blair as Gemma Tattersall secures ERM series title

Pippa Roome — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 15:06:13 +0000

Shane Rose and Chris Burton became the first Australians to finish on the Event Rider Masters (ERM) podium when they scored a one-two in the ERM at the Blair Castle Equi-Trek International Horse Trials.

Shane moved up to third by showjumping clear this morning on his own and Michelle Hasibar’s Virgil II and then took top spot by finishing cross-country with just 2.8 time-faults.

“Chris and I walked the course together and felt the ground was worst from fences two to five. He was really clagged [tired] at fence four, but once he was in the gravel in the woods he travelled well and except for fence four — which was a bit wild — that’s as good a ride as I’ve had on him,” said Shane.

Chris had the fastest round — just two seconds over the optimum time — to take second on the syndicate-owned Graf Liberty.

“He’s always been a very competitive horse and the highlight is his cross-country,” said Chris. “Shane didn’t have the best start in Britain this year [he lost his father and had Shanghai Joe put down after he was injured at Badminton] and now he’s heading home, so I’m so happy for him — it couldn’t have gone better in my opinion.”

Oliver Townend took third on Angela Hislop’s Cooley Master Class, just ahead of fellow Brit Gemma Tattersall, whose fourth place here on Clive Smith’s Pamero 4 secured her the series title ahead of the final leg at Blenheim.

“It’s an incredible feeling to have it wrapped up here — I can go to Blenheim and really enjoy it riding one my favourite horses, Chico Bella P,” said Gemma.

Continued below…

More eventing news:

Wow! Watch this rider replace his lost bridle during his showjumping round

Teenager wins Blair Castle CIC3*: ‘I think my horse shed a tear as well!’

New faces lead Blair CCI3* after cross-country: ‘She’s just an Irish bog pony’

This morning’s showjumping shook up the leaderboard, with all the top three after dressage leaving the podium.

The leader, Germany’s Niklas Bschorer (Tom Tom Go 3), had the Land Rover oxer at fence two down as well as a later upright, plus three time-faults, to drop to eighth (he finished 14th with 26 time-faults across country), while Mark Todd’s three down and two time-penalties sent him and Kiltubrid Rhapsody plummeting from second to 16th.

“He’s usually a very good jumper, but he’s better on firmer ground where he can spring off it as he’s a big horse and slow in his action,” said Mark, who then withdrew.

Franky Reid-Warrilow led going into the cross-country after a showjumping clear and finished sixth with Dolley Whisper after clocking up 16.4 time-faults.

Full report from Blair in H&H next week (issue dated 31 August).

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‘Nothing for riders to aspire to’: loss of Blair Castle and other eventing concerns come under discussion

Discussing Blair’s cancellation at the AGM, it was agreed that this was “not a BE problem” but an eventing problem.

Blair event director Alec Lochore said that land management and farming is changing UK-wide.

“Now that the farm subsidies are changing, and the way that farmers use the land, I think that is a challenge for everybody; farmers, landowners, and therefore the sport,” he said.

“I tried on a couple of occasions to make a claim for the sport to continue [at Blair] and it is with regret that there is a line in the sand.”

It was discussed whether a new Scottish venue could be found to “replicate the Blair experience”, and Alec said there is “not a yes or no answer”.

BE chief executive Rosie Williams agreed with Alec and said it is “a nigh-on impossible thing to transport something with 35 years of history and just put it somewhere else”.

Ms Williams said BE is “not shying away from the fact we need to do something”, and reiterated that there will be a full fixtures review, that will undergo public consultation, plus a governance and membership categorisation review.

The meeting concluded with a presentation to outgoing BE Scotland chairman John White. Recruitment will begin for his replacement.

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Another major fixture lost from eventing calendar: ‘End of an era’

This year’s 35th anniversary event will go ahead as planned as the final Blair Castle Horse Trials, in a farewell celebration.

Blair hosts international eventing classes from CCI* up to CCI4*-L level, as well as the Scottish Grassroots Eventing Festival. The horse trials is run alongside a British Showjumping show and a country fair with showing classes, numerous tradestands and visitor attractions.

Blair event director Alec Lochore said: “This event became a phenomenal international success and has had unstinting support from the Blair Castle team.

“Of course, it is the end of an era for everyone involved – sponsors, competitors, volunteers, spectators and many more – and we are determined to sign off with a tremendous celebration at this year’s event in August.

“At this stage it is too early to say what the future holds. There are a significant number of equestrian bodies involved and discussions to explore options will have to take place.

“The equestrian community is extremely grateful to the Blair Castle team for its outstanding commitment over so many years.”

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‘Battered and bruised’ five-star rider likely to miss rest of season

Susie’s team thanked everyone for their support, and said she was recovering locally. Jesmond Renard, known as Foxy, was not injured in the fall and was walked back to his stable.

“The medics at Blair, Ninewells Hospital and the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh to start with. Plus everyone who’s jumped in to help; owners, my amazing girls, parents, Max (Warburton), everyone who’s sent get well soon messages and so many more,” she said.

“It really means a lot.”

Susie added that she is “quite battered and bruised”.

“I’ve broken a lot of ribs which means I’ll likely miss the rest of the season, but I feel incredibly lucky to be feeling as good as I do and will be back fighting in no time,” she said.

“And so relieved that Foxy walked away 100%.”

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Five-star rider taken to hospital following cross-country fall

A Blair Castle spokesman said Susie was immediately attended to onsite by medical professionals, before she was taken to hospital. Jesmond Renard was not injured in the fall.

A spokesman for Susie thanked everyone for all the messages of support and concern.

“Susie would like to say a huge thank you to the event officials and medics who were very quick in their response and who take great care of her onsite. She is now feeling much better and is recovering locally,” he said.

“Foxy (Jesmond Renard) walked away from the fall unscathed and was happily eating back in his stable, being well cared for by Crisy (Salmon, Susie’s groom). ”

The spokesman added it “wasn’t the end to the trip the team had hoped for” – and that Susie is now taking time to rest.

“Twiggy and Eva had both jumped incredible rounds in the CCI2*-L and CCI3*-L, both flying up the leaderboards. Susie is just sad she was unable to complete with them,” he said.

“Once again many thanks for all of the support – especially to owners, family and friends who had travelled to Scotland to watch and help.”

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‘We’re going white water rafting’: Ros Canter’s unique preparations for Blair Castle cross-country

“He was really settled in the dressage. It wasn’t raining at the time but it had been quite wet and there was lots of spooky umbrellas and things out, but he was really rideable. One of our changes wasn’t how I would have wanted it, but other than that he was really good,” Ros told H&H.

“In the showjumping he was lovely, he’s been a really good boy. He’s quite a sharp, spooky horse but he’s come out really level [headed] after the dressage yesterday so I’m really pleased.”

“Rehy Royal Diamond has been super,” said Ros. “He’s had quite a quiet year but he’s feeling on great form. He’s often been quite a hot-headed horse but he was settled in the dressage, and today he jumped really nicely.”

Continuing the theme of the 2023 British summer, the rain arrived in the opening few days of Blair, as thoughts turn to the ground ahead of the CCI4*-S cross-country.

The European champion has decided on a rather unique way of “preparing” for the final cross-country phase.

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“I can’t believe it,” Roberto said. “He did a 29 in our first four-star and you go off and have dressage lessons to try to improve that but I’ve been stuck in the low 30s ever since – which is fab, but I’ve not been able to break the 30s barrier again.

It is Roberto’s first visit to Blair, which is running six international classes this weekend.

“I can’t wait to get out on those hills,” he said. “It can rain more as far as I’m concerned, I’m on a thoroughbred!”

George Bartlett and Conpierre lead the CCI3*L, ahead of Amelia Leeming on Overis Cavalier.

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The Horse & Hound Podcast 118: Blair Castle Horse Trials & BSPS Championships review

Horse & Hound Podcast: episode 118

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‘He is a horse we have a lot of belief in’: top rider scores home soil win in Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI2*-L

Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI1*-Intro

Eluna is a relatively new ride for 18-year-old Amelia and was formerly campaigned by Wills Oakden to two-star.

“The win has not sunk in yet,” she told H&H.

“I got her during my A levels and got on with her straight away. She loves what she does which makes my life a lot easier. She likes to sparkle!”

Amelia, who has ridden a couple of novice tracks with Eluna, said the cross-country rode “really nicely”.

“Everything I asked her to do she did perfectly. Her ears were pricked the whole way, looking for the next jump. I was looking for the clear and I was over the moon with her,” she said.

Maia Fleming won section F with her own Candyman Leanorth at the pair’s first ever one-star.

Maia told H&H it had not been a smooth run up to Blair after she had a fall from the striking 18hh gelding at the water fence at the Bishop Burton International Youth Championships earlier this month – but this weekend could not have gone better for the pair.

“It was a really good and massive experience,” an over the moon Maia told H&H.

“The water here is very familiar to what it was when I had the fall and he gave me so much confidence going over it today. I couldn’t ask for a better horse. He came out of that box flying.”

Elizabeth Jelfs and her own Stonehavens Cloud finished on their 31.5 dressage for second. Emma Wake finished on her 32.2 dressage for third with her own Chrissi.

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‘You’ve got to enjoy these moments’ : Tom McEwen reigns victorious in Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI4*-L and CCI3*-L

Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI3*-L

Alison Swinburn, John and Chloe Perry’s nine-year-old gelding has proved untouchable in his first ever three-star long.

“I thought the three-star was twisty and it sort of changed from a little bit smaller to very big and square so it was a good track,” said Tom.

“Twiggy and Eva had both jumped incredible rounds in the CCI2-L and CCI3-L, both flying up the leaderboards. Susie is just sad she was unable to complete with them,” he said.

‘You’ve got to enjoy these moments’ : Tom McEwen reigns victorious in Blair Castle Horse Trials CCI4-L and CCI3-L