Arena Saddles CCI2*-S
With less than one second separating the leaders it was Ireland’s Susie Berry with Amanda Varley’s Wild Atlantic Way, that took top honours in the Arena Saddles CCI2*-S. Finishing on their dressage score of 29.1 the duo made it three wins on the bounce.
Of the win Susie said: “He was amazing, he’s won three CCI2*’s in a row – Bicton, Lincoln and now here. He moves up next time, so it was a perfect prep run. He is a real professional and he really wants to win as much as we want to win.
“I thought the course has a really good flow to it, I like it going this direction as we got going a bit more, and the ground was perfect. The atmosphere was great and we’re looking forward to coming back on Sunday with the big boys.”
In second was Australian Olympian Kevin McNab riding Sophie Rennison’s Quality Time. Their impressive dressage score of 27.9 put them into the lead but a costly 1.6-time faults in the showjumping saw them slip into second place finishing on a very respectable 29.5.
Rounding up the top three is British rider Lucinda Atkinson and PRF Made In England owned by the rider, Amanda Rowe and Dr Jane Crossley. Finishing on their dressage score of 29.9 the top three proved tight and the showjumping influential.
Event Director and course designer Stuart Buntine commented: “I loved watching the horses start and gain confidence by the time they got to the lawn. Sometimes they come here a little bit green but changing the course around was a huge positive.
“The ground has been spot on, which we’re really pleased about. Watching horses ride the course and gain confidence was what it was all about for me, especially at this point in the season and for this level at this point in their education.”
As competition hots up at The Eventing Spring Carnival, at Thoresby Park, Great Britain’s Olympians dominate the Lycetts Grantham Cup, and international classes.
Lycetts Grantham Cup CCI4*-S
Just a second on the cross-country course is all that splits four of GB’s brightest Olympic stars following the dressage phase.
Ros Canter with her Paris partner and Badminton and Burghley 5* winner Lordships Graffalo lead the way after a dazzling display within the white boards, with a score of 24.3.
Of the test Ros commented: “I’m really delighted with Lordships Graffalo today, he came out very professional and relaxed. For where we are at the moment, I couldn’t have asked for anymore.
“We haven’t really got any plans beyond Badminton at the moment, and we’ll make a plan after we’ve run tomorrow as to whether he needs another run before Badminton or not.”
Just 0.4 of a penalty behind her sits teammate Laura Collett with the infamous London 52, himself a three time 5* winner and double Olympic gold medallist.
Laura said of her 24.4 test: “ I’m really pleased with him – he was a good boy because he can be a bit fresh at this time of the year, so to have perfect ground he was very happy about doing his test on grass today, he normally saves his nice stuff for surfaces so it was quite nice.
“Coming into this year is a very, very different feel to going into last year, so I’m just enjoying a little bit less pressure and actually just enjoying him. He’s an unbelievable horse and I’m very, very lucky to ride him, I really do treasure riding him everyday.”
Rounding out the podium places is early leader Tom McEwen and JL Dublin with a score of 24.5, just ahead of Gemma Stevens and Jalapeno III on 24.6.
With back-to-back Grantham Cup wins in 2023 and 2024, Emily King and Valmy Biats will be ones to watch in Saturday’s jumping phases. Sitting less than a showjumping pole behind the leaders, their consistency in the jumping phases will keep them in strong contention for a record-breaking hat-trick of Grantham Cup wins.
BEDE Events CCI4*-S
The BEDE Events sponsored section H is currently led by Gemma Stevens with the striking grey Flash Cooley on a score of 26.
Gemma commented: “I’m absolutely thrilled with his test today, I really couldn’t have asked for more. It’s so nice to have him back at this level after his year off and feeling so good.
“It really does make such a difference having some nice weather, it is not pouring with rain and blowing a gale, with perfect ground! So, we’re really looking forward to the rest of the weekend.”
Rathbones CCI3*-S
Continuing the trend of Team GB’s dressage domination, reigning World Champion Yasmin Ingham takes a commanding lead in the Rathbones CCI3*-S with Gypsie Du Loir, for Janette Chin and the Sue Davies Fund. Their 22.6 score have them over 4 penalties clear of Sammi Birch and Parkfield Artie Blou on 27.2.
Tomorrow’s full day of competition will see the jumping phases for the CCI4*-S and Advanced classes, along with a range of Intermediate sections to round out the day.
The Eventing Spring Carnival offers fun for the whole family! Alongside world-class eventing action, enjoy international hobby horsing, the chance to gallivant with the Sherwood Outlaws, thrilling gun dog displays, and so much more.
Advance tickets offer discounts on gate prices and can be purchased via www.bede-events.co.uk/tickets
Release supplied by event.
