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Australian eventers on form at Gatcombe Park

      Bill Levett and Hippolyte                                          Photo: Libby Law

It was a good few days for the Australians at the Whatley Manor International Horse Trials at Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire, UK. Held on the other side of Gatcombe Park to where the Festival of British Eventing takes place, Libby Law says this event has ‘a very different feel’ despite being held on the same property.

Bill Levett and Hippolyte

Aussie Bill Levett was back on form with Hippolyte after a bad run over the past few events. Bill and Hippolyte added nothing to their dressage score of 30 to win the Section G Open Intermediate and was also 16th on Silk Stone who had a very good dressage score of 29.6 but unfortunately had four faults showjumping and time penalties cross country. The 17 year old, 16.2hh Selle Francais chestnut gelding Hippolyte is owned by the Leggetts (Vera, Sarah and Rodger) and Vera was at the event to be presented with her prize by the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, whose back garden the event is held in.

Paul Tapner

Another Aussie, Paul Tapner took second place in this class with Indian Mill, who again had a great dressage score of 26.4 but unfortunately rolled a rail showjumping and picked up a couple of time penalties on cross country to finish on a score of 32.8. Paul was also very happy with seven year old Inishmor, fifth in the Open Novice whose owner, Ian Murray also got to meet Princess Anne. There definitely are perks to being an owner – more people should think about it!

In the Section F Open Intermediate the Australians were out in force. Andrew Hoy and Cheeky Calimbo came second, Sam Griffiths and Mumbo Jumbo sixth, Catherine Burrell and Urzan eighth, Matt Ryan and Bonza Rusty May twelfth, Bill Levett again with Ballymore Rich Cat 16th, Paul Tapner and Yogi Bear VIII (love that name) 18th and Chris Burton with Kinnordy Rivaldo 33rd. This class was won by Japanese rider Takayuki Yumira riding Latina 43, a horse previously ridden by Lucinda Fredericks.

Both classes featured lots of top riders such as William Fox-Pitt who rode the stallion Chilli Morning in the Section F to finish in 17th place between (sandwiched between Bill and Paul) and Mark Todd on Happy Go Lucky who claimed third place in this class. In the Section G there was plenty of competition with William (riding Navigator, the horse he had hoped to bring to Adelaide), Mark Todd, Andrew Nicholson and Laura Collett all doing their best to knock off Bill and Paul.

Well done guys!

For full results visit http://www.bdwp.co.uk/gt2