The sun was out, the competitors commented on how good the going was, our video cameras were at the ready to capture the first day's cross country action and Nicola Todd snapped some riders on the first day of the Burnham Market International
Richard P. Jones and Drumin Jacko, 19th in the BE100 Open
The action kicked off today at the Bacon.co.uk Burnham Market International Horse Trials, with the BE100 and Novice competitors taking centre stage – many of them local.
Ipswich rider Isabella Stagg took the top honours in the first of the BE100 sections, riding Quite A Compliment, a new ride for her this year. Caroline Powell, a previous Burghley winner and member of the New Zealand eventing team who is now based in Horringer, won the second BE100 section on Ballintoher Harry – on the six-year-old's second only outing.
Izzy Taylor and Direct Cassino
Pip Taylor from Woodbridge topped the table in the Under 18 section riding her own Sherkin Island. This was the pair's first run at BE100 level; they enjoyed considerable success last season at BE90. Bury St Edmunds' Bubby Upton, who last year claimed the individual silver medal at the Pony European Championships, was narrowly beaten by Pip, Bubby this time partnering Eros DHI, a new ride for her this year, on which she has yet to finish outside the top five.
Natasha Goody from Newmarket was also in the BE100 ribbons, as were Virginia Wells & Zara Lye from Woodbridge, Alexa Regis from Eye, Melanie Darling from Deopham Green, Esther Anderson from Great Yarmouth and Hunstanton's Louise Barber.
Laurence Hunt and Oso Miss Felicity
Noah Brook from Huddersfield and Alex Postoloswky from Market Rasen took a novice section apiece, riding Deo Volente III and Akolien respectively. Nini French was the best of the local riders. The Dereham based Nini posted a second place on Corbett.
At the other side of the show ground the more experienced CIC2* and CIC3* combinations were performing their dressage tests – these continue tomorrow, while more Novice plus the Intermediate competitors take on the show jumping and cross country phases. Early leaders in the International classes were Ros Canter on Cekatinka and Pippa Funnell with Billy The Biz – although last year's CIC3* winner Oliver Townend is hard on Pippa's heels with Mr Hiho.
