Sam and Real Dancer Photo: Libby Law
On Sunday 27th May Sam Griffiths had cause for double celebration; not only was it Sam’s 40th birthday but he also won the CIC 3* Section D at the Subaru Houghton International. Leading after the dressage on a score of 36.3, Sam and the lovely horse Real Dancer kept their lead to the end. Sired by Rotspon and originally bred for dressage, Real Dancer is always a pleasure to watch in the dressage arena but this weekend he also starred in the jumping phases – clear both in the cross country (only 4 time faults) and in the show jumping against tough opposition.
Due to the number of competitors desperate to run their horses, the organisers of Houghton had added a second CIC 3* class. The first class (Section C), which completed on Saturday and was won by Piggy French and Jakarta, also included the CICO 3* Nations Cup won by Great Britain. Sam also competed in this class as a part of the Australian silver medal winning team on Paulank Brockagh, finishing in 19th place, again jumping clear in both the cross country and show jumping (click here for article).
Kevin McNab and Clifton Pinot Photo: Libby Law
In the CIC 3* Section D Sam’s good dressage score saw him go into the showjumping and cross country just ahead of top British rider Piggy French on her London test event winner, DHI Topper W. Sam had only 4 time faults on a course where it was hard to make time whereas Piggy incurred 13.2 time and 20 jumping penalties to drop her down the leader board. The only combination to go clear and under time on cross country was Australian Kevin McNab and Clifton Pinot, a great result which moved them from 12th after dressage to finish in 5th place overall.
William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning Photo: Libby Law
There was plenty of strong competition in the field of 61 starters. William Fox-Pitt was lying fourth on Neuf des Coeurs after dressage and went clear in the showjumping but came unstuck at the Quarry on cross country to be eliminated. Both horse and rider were fine and William went on to take 6th place in the CCI 2* on the stallion Chilli Morning, a ride recently taken over from Mary King. Mary was riding in the CIC 3* Section D on Apache Sauce to be placed 17th (lots of time faults so maybe a strategy to have a steady round); other British riders to have a good run were Charlotte Agnew on Out of Africa Two (2nd), Nicola Wilson on her promising young mare Annie Clover (6th), Francis Whittington and Easy Target (came up from 24th after dressage to finish 7th) and Emily Llewellyn on Pardon Me II (came from 36th after dressage to finish 8th). Top German rider Andreas Ostholt was one of the fastest riders on cross country and took second place on So Is ET.
Bill and Out of Touch II Photo: Libby Law
In the CCI 2* Australian Bill Levett placed 10th on the striking horse Out of Touch II and looked delighted!
The overseas eventing action now moves on to Tattersalls International Horse Trials in Ireland and so do we! Stay tuned.....................
