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Having done his first dressage test on Lanfranco, Andrew Hoy demonstrates his culinary prowess
After a fabulous night’s sleep at Water Meadow Cottage just minutes from the event venue, Libby and I managed to drag ourselves from the heavenly cottage and focus on today’s work. We’ll tell you more about Unlisted London’s exclusive little retreat that we are road testing for a couple of nights in an article coming soon but, believe me, it is delightful!
Not that it is a hardship to be here as the Blenheim Palace Estate is the perfect backdrop for an event. The Palace frames the CCI3* dressage arena while the CCI3* and CIC3* cross country courses, designed by Eric Winter and which run in an anti-clockwise direction this year, wind around the lush parklands. The weather, although a tad chilly in the mornings, is set to be warm and clear throughout so conditions should be perfect over the next few days.
In addition to the CCI and CIC3* 8/9YO competitions there are displays in the Blenheim arena over the four days – today the highlight was a Masterclass by Carl Hester and there was even a cookery demonstration by Andrew Hoy in the afternoon. Should Andrew ever give up riding or coaching he could easily be the next celebrity chef and had the audience eating out of his hand, so to speak
Andrew and Lanfranco - if you are wondering why a horsebox is parked on the arena, it seats the judges!
Andrew was one of the first riders out in the CCI3* dressage when the main arena was still quiet, which may have been an advantage as he was riding the notoriously spooky but talented Lanfranco. Lanfranco had a little ‘moment’ after finishing his test as he came out of the arena but was impeccably behaved inside the boards, moving into equal second place at that early stage. Andrew shared a score of 47 with his gold medal winning ex-Australian team mate, Phillip Dutton riding Fernhill Cubalawn but Britain’s Francis Whittington soon moved ahead of them with 43.4 riding Fernhill Highlight.
Francis is one of the favourites to win the CCI3*this year riding his second horse Easy Target, another of Catherine Witt’s lovely horses. Francis and the 13 year old grey known as ‘Smokes’ were runners-up to Andrew Nicholson at Barbury earlier this year and are a very popular combination. However, it may be a bit of a dilemma for Catherine as she is also the owner of three other horses competing this weekend; William Fox-Pitt’s Seacookie and Fernhill Pimms and Francis’ Fernhill Highlight. A very nice dilemma to have
Tim and GV Billy Elliott
Two more Australians to ride in the morning, Emma Dougall and Tim Boland were both disappointed with their tests but while Emma was slightly disappointed (although not doubt pondering the score differences after we heard them on the loud speaker) Tim was very disappointed but taking it in good spirit by deciding to go to Ireland (although his partner Sophie may change his mind and he finished the day with a reasonably good 15th placing)
Tim has been enjoying competing and some success in the UK with the various horses he brought here earlier in the year and, although Lord Limmerick has now been sold, he still has a very handy team in Napoleon VIII, GV Billy Elliott, Gorsehill Star and Wild Duchess, the young mare previously ridden by Chris Burton.
Emma and Belcam Bear
Emma Dougall and Belcam Bear also had a great run here last year leading the dressage after the first day of dressage but Emma felt that they hadn’t quite got it together the same way today. They finished the day in 14th place
William, riding the very experienced Seacookie, took the lead on 41.80 early in the day and then overtook himself riding Freddie Mac with a score of 38 later in the day. However, it was young Emily King on Clayton Fredericks’ previous ride Brookleigh who blitzed into the lead on 35.4 – the last rider of the day in her very first CCI3*. Mum Mary will be proud but it appears that she has been busy today
“Mum’s been grooming for me today but she’s been slacking a bit” joked Emily who adores her laid back horse Brookleigh
“He’s so lovely, he’s like a little dog. If there’s a downside, he can be a bit laid back but today he felt really in tune and on the button. The crowd clapping helped to lift him and spark him up a bit”
Happy! Emily is delighted with Brooks and her personal best score at international level
Rupert Bell talks to Emily King
Brook on Doonaveragh O Six
Over in the Churchill Arena a little down the hill the CIC3* 8/9 Year Old Class was dominated by Australians for most of the day with the first four spots taken by Sam Griffiths on Favorit Z (36.6), Brook Staples on Doonaveragh O Six (42.6), Paul Tapner on Indian Mill (43.5) and Kevin McNab on Casperelli (44.4). However, Jonelle Price spoiled the Aussie party with her talented young grey horse Faeri Dianimo by sneaking between Brook and Paul with a score of 43.2 while Oliver Townend riding Cooley Master Class equalled Kevin’s score
It has been a dramatic year for Kevin and it is lovely to see him back in the competition arena where we caught up with him for a chat after his test
Kevin and Casperelli
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