Paul Tapner and Yogi Bear
The 2013 British Eventing season has had bit of a rocky start. With numerous cancellations of events due to adverse weather conditions and the looming threat of EHV-1, the Symm International HorseTrials at Hambleden provided a much needed insight into the season ahead. 22 classes were run over three big days of competition and combinations came from all parts of the world. The TCN** and Intermediate classes took place on the Sunday, seeing some of the bigger names come out to play. Chris Hughes provided a decent cross country test that took place amongst some of Buckinghamshire’s most beautiful woodlands.
Paul Tapner had a fantastic weekend, taking out the Open Intermediate Section R on Yogi Bear VIII after adding just a few time penalties to his original score. Paul also finished third in the Intermediate Section T on Inishmor after another brilliant double clear. A win with Boston JRP in the Novice Section J and a second with Pioneer Milly in the Novice Section M capped of a successful weekend for team Tapner.
With just over a week to go until they tackle Badminton, Chris Burton and Holstein Park Leilani used the Intermediate as a warm up for the big event. They performed a lovely dressage test and a clear in the show jumping before withdrawing from the cross country phase. Chris also rode Newsprint in the Open Intermediate Section R, taking time across the country but jumping double clear nonetheless. In the Novice Section O, Chris and Fennis Ted took out third place.
The brilliant sunshine seemed to bring the best out of the Australian’s over the weekend and provided a snap shot of some up and coming young horses. Brook Staples and Talos Dazzler were victorious in the BE100 Section B and placed third in the BE100 Section E aboard Randals Legacy. Sammi McLeod placed second in the Novice Section O aboard Sceptre De Moreton and second in the BE100 Section G with Tregorn II.
Emily King has taken over the ride of Brookleigh from Clayton Fredericks and she has done it in style. The pair performed a brilliant test and added just 5.2 time penalties to their dressage score, taking out the Patey Corne OI U21 Section P. Emily has certainly inherited some of her mother’s talent and the pair had a very busy weekend, both had multiple rides across the classes and were rarely seen off a horse.
There is no denying that eventing is huge in England and this weekend’s Hambleden Horse Trials were no exception. The event received so many entries that they had to be balloted and classes were filled with talented horses and riders. Such quality draws the big crowds and many people came out to enjoy the sun and close competition. With more events to come and a British Summer well and truly on its way, the 2013 season is shaping up to be a big one.
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Article and photos by Emily Penney
