The sun was out and shining down on the glorious grounds of Blenheim Palace for the CIC*** cross country test today. As a fresh breeze made its way across the grounds, the perfect setting was created for competitors and spectators alike. With the top 17 combinations riding in reverse order to finish off, the pressure was on right up until the last horse left the start box.
At the end of the day just 0.3 penalties separated first and third! Jonelle Price was victorious aboard the beautiful little Faerie Dianimo and she led the way for a leader board that was dominated by the antipodeans. In second was team mate Andrew Nicholson whilst Paul Tapner took third. Jonathan Paget took fourth place and Sam Griffiths finished in fifth.
“She’s a feisty little thing, she’s got so much attitude but she’s got so much ability," Jonelle says
“She’s such a great little horse and I’m so lucky to have her,” Jonelle said at the end of her round. “I think that it’s very fitting that she’s won this class, it’s a very prestigious class and I think that she’s a really special horse.” Jonelle was introduced to Faerie Dianimo through Jacky Green, who owns her along with Trisha Rickards. The Kiwi took the mare on as a six year old and together they finished sixth in this class last year.
As the cross country test kicked off, two riders in Georgie Strang and Joseph Murphy made it home without adding any penalties to their overnight score, proving that the optimum time was achievable. Andrew Nicholson became the third and final rider to beat the clock on Cillnabradden Evo, a horse who was used to going slowly with its previous rider – something that has certainly changed since ‘Mr. Stickability’ took over the ride!
Andrew Nicholson was “pleasantly surprised to finish second”
Nicholson was the tenth last rider to go and his fast clear round certainly put the pressure on the final nine. Paul Tapner and Indian Mill set out behind the Kiwi and he was a red man on a mission. Tapperz had his foot down hard all the way around and he made it home just one second over the optimum time. This added 0.4 penalties to his score and placed him in provisional second, just 0.1 penalties behind Nicholson.
Three riders shared equal fourth place heading into today’s competition, leaving no room for error. Kevin McNab was the first of these to set out and he seemed determined to jump an accurate round. Unfortunately the clock was unforgiving and Kevin picked up 12.4 time penalties, dropping down the field to ninth place.
Jock Paget set out at a cracking pace, keeping one eye on his watch and the other on the job at hand. The Kiwi looked set to make it home under the clock however Clifton Signature appeared to slow down half way round the course and the pair picked up 6.8 penalties.
Jock Paget and Clifton Signature
Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class looked fantastic up until the Countrywide Splash & Dash. A big jump over the first element almost unseated the Brit and whilst he did well to stay in the saddle, the pair lost their line and ran off to the side of the jump into the lake. The added 20 penalties from the run out plus time faults dropped them out of the placings.
Sam Griffiths was the third last rider to set out on course. Favorit Z was eliminated from this class as an eight year old last year for wearing illegal boots, one year on and Sam was back with the now nine year old to prove a point. A hold on course was all too familiar for the Aussie who was held twice at Burghley last week. Once the pair set off they got into a cracking rhythm, however eight time penalties dropped them down to a very respectable fifth place.
Sam and Favorit Z
When the final two horses set off it seemed that it would be a battle of the greys. New Zealand’s Jonelle Price and the beautiful Faerie Dianimo took no chances, taking direct routes and galloping hard in between fences. The little mare finished full of running, pulling towards the end and crossing the finish line with ears pricked and looking ready to go again. The pair picked up 4.4 time penalties placing them ahead of Nicholson by just 0.1 of a penalty.
All eyes were on Tim Lips as he set off on course. The Dutch man had 8.3 time penalties to spare after Jonelle’s round but it is unlikely that he was aware of this at the time. Tim looked to be flying on the eight year old Bayro and they seemed to finish full of running. However the pair collected 15.2 penalties, dropping them down to seventh place and giving Jonelle the much deserved win.
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