Paul Tapner and Inonothing Photo: blog.talkinghorse.net
Belton Horse Trials in the UK Midlands is a key competitive benchmark event in preparation for the spring four stars, and one most of the UK based Australians head for. With two Advanced & one CIC*** section, attracting nearly 200 horses between them, and many on the Badminton entry list were present here, everywhere you gazed you could find a four star champion or Olympic medal winner in your line of sight.
Dressage was held in amongst the trade stands providing the perfect atmosphere test in preparation for the buzz of Badminton that tips many a horse over the edge in the main arena. All of the Australians performed well scoring comfortably into the 30s in the advanced classes, and Paul Tapner (Inonothing & Kilronan) & Sam Griffiths (Happy Times) were inside the top 25 after dressage in the CIC***. I have to confess Bill Levett on One Two Many NJ was the only Australian I managed to watch in the dressage. He managed a score as good as any, and now has Hippolyte back in the game at advanced notching 9th place in what was a highly competitive field, won by Andrew Nicholson on Avebury, with Caroline Powell's Lenamore, and Pippa Funnell on Billy Shannon ahead of Bill.
Bill Levett and One Two many NJ Photo: blog.talkinghorse.net
Optimum cross country time was going to be hard to beat, in fact nobody did, so the remaining Aussies were in contention, for their stronger jumping phases. Sam Griffiths picked up third place in the other advanced section on Paulank Brockagh, but it was Paul Tapner with three outstanding rides who collected the most prizes for the Aussies.
Make no mistake Inonothing is back from the subs bench and in form! This crazy little TB who always looks completely wired to the grid, show jumped cleanly, and maintained a high cruising speed round the Belton cross country course to finish double clear and into second place in the CIC*** Grantham Cup, which they won in 2008. Obviously Paul's main aim is the London Olympics for this horse, but that may well include a trip to Badminton first, with a tilt at regaining the Mitsubishi Motors Trophy they took home in 2010.
His two star winner from last year, Kilronan, might easily have given Paul a third place in the same class, but 2 rails in the show jumping meant settling for 12th place. This is a lovely little grey horse that could easily head up a notch to four star in the not too distant future, for now he'll probably head to France for the Saumur CCI***. Paul's stallion, Wickstead Didgeridoo, was double clear in the advanced to finish 6th.
All in all a good day out for the Aussies. The question is where will Fredericks & Burto turn up?
Thanks to blog.talkinghorse.net for this update from the UK
