Nicola Wilson takes Blair CCI3*: ‘I’m thrilled Annie Clover got the win she deserves’
Nicola Wilson claimed the CCI3* at the Blair Castle Equi-Trek International Horse Trials this afternoon, riding her parents Mary and Barry Tweddle’s Annie Clover.
“I’m thrilled to bits,” she said. “I’ve had her since she was a four-year-old and she’s been so consistent in her three-days — she’s always been in the top few except Burghley last year — so I’m thrilled she got the win she deserved. Plus she’s owned by my parents, which makes it extra special.”
Nicola pushed things to the wire today with the middle part of the treble at fence eight down plus seven time-faults. but won by 1.3 penalties.
Oliver Townend took second and third with ODT Ghareeb and Lanfranco.
Up-and-coming star Caroline Clarke took the CCI2* with a foot perfect clear today. Her ride Touch Too Much never looked like touching a fence.
“He’s very careful and I wasn’t worried about him knocking down a fence, only about me getting it wrong and him not being able to get out of it,” she said.
New Zealand’s Jonelle Price also jumped clear to take second on Kindred Spirit IV.
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“For a thoroughbred he’s one of the of the better jumpers I’ve had and he was magic across country yesterday,” she said.
Paul Sims moved up from fifth to claim third on Last Secret. Hectory Payne took fourth and fifth after a fence down apiece for his rides Dynasty and Ironstein.
Jonelle also won the CCI* riding OBOS Impressive.
“It was fairly easy for him, but it was nice to have three convincing phases,” she said.
Continued below…
Related articles:
Nicola Wilson ahead in Blair CCI3*: ‘She was a bit strong — but it’s a nice problem to have’
Bettina Hoy leads Blair ERM dressage: ‘He’s a real gentleman; if he was a man I’d marry him’
Jock Paget dropped from second to seventh with a fence down in the treble on Zazu, but the rider still took the runner-up spot on his other ride, Optimus Prime II, who moved up from third with a clear. Kirsty Johnston took third with Classic VI.
Full report of Blair in H&H next week, out Thursday, 1 September.
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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.