William and Bay My Hero have won the CCI 1*, 2* and now 3* at Tattersalls over three years
Photo: Libby Law
Over 17,800 visitors attended Tattersalls International Horse Trials this weekend to witness William-Fox Pitt create history by winning The Irish Field CCI*** with Bay My Hero, the partnership that won the CCI* in 2010 and the CCI** in 2011 at the very same venue.
After the class, a delighted William Fox-Pitt commented; “Tattersalls is one of the most prestigious events in the world and that is why we all attend. There is a tremendous atmosphere especially on cross country day. It is a very educational and useful event for all the horses I bring here. It’s sad not having George Mernagh here but he would be very proud of all the team at Tattersalls and what a brilliant job they have done.”
In second position in The Irish Field CCI*** class was Ireland’s Sarah Ennis riding Sugar Brown Babe ahead of Great Britain’s Polly Stockton riding Westwood Mariner.
Camilla Speirs and Portersize Just A Jiff Photo: Libby Law
The George Mernagh Memorial CIC***saw International Olympic hopefuls take to the stage. Ireland’s Camilla Speirs riding Potersize Just A Jiff rose to the top and claimed the title. Speirs described her 15.1hh Connemara cross as a “freak of nature” as he displayed such a foot perfect round of jumping on course designed Ian Stark’s challenging course. In second place was fellow Irish competitor Aoife Clark riding Master Crusoe and Captain Geoff Curran with The Jump Jet.
Sammi McLeod and Kintara Photo: Libby Law
Australian Samantha McLeod and Kintara, 5th after dressage had 4 faults in the show jumping but jumped clear on cross country with time faults to finish 17th. There was sad news in this class when Sugoi ridden by Laura Wallace for New Zealand and owned by Glenn & Laura Wallace was humanely destroyed as a result of a fatal accident while competing. Sugoi, a fifteen year old gelding by Coral Reef, stumbled and fell after jumping fence number seventeen and suffered a broken neck. Laura is well known in Australia and we send her our condolences at this terrible time
The Irish team selected by Team Ireland Eventing High Performance Manager Ginny Elliott were successful in winning the inaugural Dubarry Boyne Trophy Challenge which saw them take on Great Britain for the coveted Dubarry Boot. This competition was run in conjunction with the CIC*** class.
Earlier in the day saw Co. Cork native Gavin Smiddy partnered with Mr Hale Bob maintain his lead over the weekend and win the Dunboyne Castle Hotel and Spa CCNP** class ahead of Co. Wexford’s Lucy Latta riding Nono and Tipperary Ana O’Brien riding Ice Cool Bailey in third.
The Tattersalls Ireland Autumn Festival of Eventing Junior class was won by Ireland’s Tori Dixon who improved her position when completing the cross country phase with Shadow Light yesterday and claimed the title. In second place were Katie Moffatt and Pick And Mix II with Great Britain’s Camilla Hope and O The Bill in third.
Chris and Graf Liberty jump to win the CCI 1* Photo: Libby Law
Australian Christopher Burton dominated the Land Rover CCI* by remaining on his initial dressage score to win the class riding a horse purchased at Tattersalls Ireland sales in 2010, Graf Liberty. In second place was Great Britain’s Oliver Townend with Cooley Master Class and fellow Great Britain Chris King in third on Billy Bounce.
Great Britain’s Isabel Djivanovic, who went into poll position after the dressage phase of the competition succeeded to retain her first place at the completion of the Connolly’s Red Mills CCI** Under 25 class. Caroline Harris and the Undertaker took second place with Georgie Norton and Hearne Lass in third.
After winning the one star class, on form Australian Christopher Burton continued his winning streak, this time partnered with Underdiscussion to win the Eventing Ireland CCI** class with New Zealand’s Tim Price in second and Great Britain’s Lucy Wiegersma and Wish Upon A Star in third. Australian Matt Ryan finished in 25th on Bonza Moorabinda and 44th on Bonza Rusty May while Brook Staples finished in 38th place on Dawn Melody
For final results from Tattersalls International Horse Trials and Country Fair, CLICK HERE
For photo galleries from all days of the event, visit the PHOTO GALLERY
For those who missed the live commentary on cross country day, you can download the Tattersalls guided course walk with Ciaran Glynn from http://crosscountryapp.com/courses.php5
