Sam Griffiths and Happy Times at Kentucky WEG 2010
Laura Collett and Rayef lead the CIC 3* after dressage at Belton on 39.0 with Mary King and Imperial Cavalier sneaking up behind them on 41.4. The highest placed Australian rider in this class in 20th place is Paul Tapner with Kilronan on 49.2 then Sam Griffiths and Happy Times in 21st place on 49.5.
Bearing in mind that this is a huge class (102 riders started the dressage phase), these are good placings and Paul is also not far off the pace with Inonothing on in equal 29th place on a score of 51.3, just behind Andrew Nicholson and Calico Joe on 51.0.
Emma Dougall and Kelecyn Ice Age are in equal 85th place on 63.0.
Andrew Hoy at Tweseldown Photo: blog.talkinghorse.com
In the Advanced Section O, Andrew Nicholson has stamped his authority riding Avebury with a cracking score of 25.9. In second place is Andrew Hoy with Cheeky Calimbo on 30.4; it appears that Andrew had an error of course so this is a good score. Andrew and Cheeky Calimbo are having a good run recently winning the Advanced Intermediate at Aldon on a score of 27.20. Cheeky Calimbo is currently listed on the EA Futures Squad while Andrew’s other horse Rutherglen is on the National A Squad.
In fifth place in this section is Bill Levett and Hippolyte, the Selle Francaise gelding that sustained a tendon injury which kept him out of competition for most of 2011. Hippolyte is currently on the EA Elite Holding Squad (as is Inonothing) so hopefully a good showing here will bump them both up to the full Elite Squad list after proving their soundness and form. Hippolyte is on another good score of 33.4 with some very strong combinations such as Andrew Nicholson and Mr Cruise Control behind them on 34.6 and Caroline Powell and Lenamore on 40.4.
The other Advanced class, Section N is littered with Australian and New Zealand riders in the top 20 and many are poised near the top of the leader board. However British stalwart Mary King and her new ride, the stallion Chilli Morning have obviously forged a good partnership in their short time together and lead the class on another excellent score of 27.1. It is lovely to see New Zealander Blyth Tait, who often visits our part of the world to hold clinics, up there too in fourth place riding Sonate V and the top placed Australian rider is Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh on 33 in sixth place. Paul Tapner riding Wickstead Didgeridoo is in equal seventh (33.2), Bill Levett and One Two Many NJ in ninth place (33.4),Andrew Hoy and Rutherglen in equal 11th (33.9) and Catherine Burrell with Urzan in equal 19th (35.9)with Bill Levett again on Ballymore Rich Cat. Just out of the top 20 in 22nd is Samantha Seaton riding Earls Court, also for Australia.
Phew. It’s going to be a big day of cross country and showjumping at Belton for Australia and New Zealand. Good luck guys
