Tim and GV Billy Elliot on top form
CCI***
Australian rider, Tim Boland, is the overnight leader in the top CIC*** event at the Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials after the first day of dressage, on 35.2 penalties. Tim was one of the last to go, on GV Billy Elliott, overtaking the afternoon leader, German Olympic team gold medal winner Ingrid Klimke, riding Tabasco. Ingrid had held the lead on 35.8 penalties for most of the afternoon.
Lying close behind in third place is America’s Marilyn Little-Meredith on RF Rovano Rex (41.2) and New Zealand’s Lizzie Brown on Henton Attorney General (41.8). The closest British rider at this stage, is Team GBR eventing silver medallist, Kristina Cook on De Novo News (42.0).
“Absolutely fantastic I’m so proud, having been reserve for the Olympics I am delighted with the horse’s performance at this event, he consistently produces a strong dressage test and I am very excited about the cross country. GV Billy Elliot will be very competitive,” commented Tim.
The beautiful Blenheim Palace provides a great backdrop
Paul Tapner and Wickstead Didgeridoo are lying 14th
CIC***
Fresh from his Burghley win on Avebury, Andrew Nicholson leads the dressage after the first day of the CIC*** British Championship for eight- and nine-year-old horses, riding Quimbo (35.1 penalties).
Blenheim title holder, Piggy French, lies in second place (36.3) on West Side; with Susanna Bordonne for Italy on Amacuzzi (45.6).
The Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials runs from 6-9 September 2012. Tomorrow (Friday) sees day two of the dressage for both the above events with a packed programme of cross country and showjumping on both days of the weekend, culminating in Olympic silver medal-winning eventing Team GB riders parading for the crowds on Sunday afternoon.
Photos: Libby Law Photography
