Young riders triumphed at Aspen Cooling Osberton International (1), across all three international classes.
Joshua Levett aced all three-phases in the Aspen Cooling CCI3*-S, with his Young Rider Championships winning partner, This Ones On You. The well-established duo completed on their 28.3 dressage score to take the win, giving them the perfect springboard to once again target the Young Rider Championships later this season.
“He really improved throughout his test which was great” commented Joshua. “He’s been a good horse for me, I’ve had him about 7-years now and we won the Young Rider Champs last year, and went to the Europeans, so it’s nice to have won on him in the middle of the season in preparation for the Young Riders again this year.”
The Elisabeth Murdoch owned 16-year-old, was previously competed by Joshua’s father, Bill Levett, to Advanced level before the reins were handed over to the young rider.
“He’s been the horse of a lifetime for me really. My first event on him was a BE100 and now I’m running round 3-longs on him. He’s cheeky but when you’ve had a horse for that long, it’s like having your best friend to go round with, and after all, that’s what it’s all about and why we all do it. When it all comes together like this week, it’s brilliant.”
Alex Hua Tian and, his own, Manjushri notched up 2.4 time penalties across the country to slip to second place, after posting a 26.5 dressage. Anya Strilkowski completed the podium line up, with her own K, completing on her 29.2 dressage score just ahead of Joshua on his second ride Huberthus AC, on 29.6.
It was the young riders once again who dominated the CCI2*-S, this time with Oscar Fitzgerald claiming his fourth victory at the level. The son of Grand National winning Mick Fitzgerald has been no stranger to success with 16-year-old Super Cillious, as they finished the 2024 season with back-to-back international wins at Cornbury House (CCIJ-2*) and Ballindenisk (CCI2*-L).
“He was a superstar from start to finish,” commented Oscar. “He jumped two really nice rounds. The ground was perfect, so he had a nice competitive run, which was brilliant. Hopefully we’ll now head to Belsay for the Junior Championships.”
Jago Jackson and Johnny Hornby’s Barrington Highlight K came tantalisingly close to the win completing on their 27.7 dressage, eventually settling for second place, with Annabel Finston and her own Camee Du Muze taking third on 29.5.
Florence Drewitt went one better than Osberton (2) last season to take the win in the Project Pony supported CCIP2*-S, with Crossgales Into The Blue, making it their second win at the level. The pair moved up from third after dressage following two quick and clear jumping rounds to take top spot on the podium, on a score of 32.6.
“It’s been a great day; I’m really pleased to have 2 in the top 5!” commented Florence. “They both felt amazing. I came here last October and was second in the Pony National Championships, so it was great. The ground was really good and well taken care of, and the ponies ran really well on it.”
Alice Fraser and Bookhamlodge Pennylane completed on their 33.6 dressage to take second, with Maisie Greening and Kilnsapic Lily finishing 2-seconds over the optimum time, also finishing on 33.6, to take third.
Riders, across all levels, have been quick to praise the ground conditions at Osberton this weekend, with the BEDE Events team putting over 1,000 cubic meters of water on the competition areas.
Joshua Levett added, “The team always work so hard on the ground and with the weather we’ve had recently they’ve done an amazing job with the ground. I don’t like and won’t run my horses on hard ground so its great to come to an event that put so much effort into the ground, and get so much out it for the horses, who really enjoy it, is really great.”
Head of Youth at British Eventing, Darrell Scaife, added: “There’s something powerful and inspiring about seeing our youth riders stepping up and winning senior international classes this weekend at Osberton. It’s a testament to their talent, determination, and an exciting window into the strength of our future GB success. Huge congratulations to Stuart Buntine and his team for delivering such a fantastic weekend of competition, and of course to all the competitors across Ponies, Juniors and Young Riders — what an achievement!”
Further information can be found via www.bede-events.co.uk
Images courtesy of Eventing Images.
Release supplied by event.
