Andrew Nicholson takes the lead in the CIC 3*
The sun was out on day two at the St James’s Place Barbury International Eventing & Show as the big names came out to play. The CIC3* and CIC2* dressage phases came to an end and the Australians will be heading into the final days of competition well placed. Paul Tapner and Kilronan completed a lovely test to be the best placed Aussies in the CIC3* section A. They sit in fifth place on a penalty score of 42.8. Leading the way in that class is New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson and Avebury who completed the last test of the day to jump into first place on a score of 34.4.
There will be no room for error over the next two days as the scores at the top are very close. Almost one third of the field sit on penalty scores in the 30’s and 40’s. Lucinda Fredericks and the always exuberant Prada (below) lie in 11th on 45.8 and they are closely followed by Matt Ryan and Bonza Moorabinda who are in 14th place on 47.4.
Sam Griffiths is one busy man this weekend having six rides across the CIC classes. Sam and the up and coming Paulank Brockagh lie in =17th in the CIC3* section A on a penalty of 48.2. Aboard Beaurepaire Nemo in the CIC2* section E, Sam sits in 11th place on 45.8 penalties.
Paul Tapner also has a busy weekend with seven rides over the four days of competition. He sits close behind Sam in the CIC2* section E in 13th place on 46.7 penalties with Yogi Bear VIII. In the Intermediate – Novice section M he finished in fourth place with Inishmor on 26.8 and 11th with Lunces Lad. Aboard Boston JRP, Paul came sixth in the Novice section F, finishing on his dressage score of 34.0.
In the CIC2* section C Lucinda Fredericks and The Navigator completed an accurate test to receive a score of 43.1, leaving them in fourth place. Close behind in equal fifth is Chris Burton and Graf Liberty on a score of 43.9. Alex Townsend and the beautiful Bendigo III are the best placed Australians in the CIC2* section D. They lie in sixth place on 44.7, just 1.9 penalties behind the leader.
Sammi receives her rewards
The Novice classes came to an end today and Australia’s Sammi McLeod was victorious. Aboard Hunter Valley II Sammi took out the Novice section F, finishing on their fantastic dressage score of 25.0 penalties. Sammi has big plans for Hunter Valley II, a horse that she bred back home in Australia. “My father and I bred him and I think he’s a real super star so he’ll go intermediate now,” she said.
“I think he’s the best horse I’ve had so I’d really like to get him up to the top level as soon as possible, maybe be an outside chance for Rio except that might be pushing it.” Sammi has been in the UK for eight years now, reflecting that she competed at the first Barbury Castle Event when it began eight years ago. With three rides in the Burghley Young Event Horse competition yesterday, Sammi has had a big weekend. She currently sits in equal 15th place in the CIC2* section D on 48.3 with Winnetou M.
Sammi and Hunter Valley
In the Novice section H Chris Burton and Nobilis 18 came second on 29.4 behind Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt. William was on fine form today, taking out three of the Novice classes. The CIC2* will finish tomorrow whilst the CIC3* competitors will show jump and finish on Sunday with cross country. Temperatures are set to be at a record high over the weekend and with such close scores in both CIC classes, it is sure to be a fantastic final two days of competition.
NZ's Tim Price and Vortex notched a notable win for the county with his fantastic campaigner and nineteen years young, Vortex winning the Retraining of Racehorses class. The veteran also won the RoR championships last year at Barbury.
Article by Emily Penney
