As always, there was plenty going on in the equestrian world in the past few days. Here's what we found of interest in case you missed anything
Berrima Horse Trials, NSW, Australia
Now Heath, where did you say that fence was?
Shane Rose was on a roll, Prue Barrett needs a cross country sat nav and Brett Parbery checking out the competition. A great weekend at Berrima
For Alison Duthie’s full reports CLICK HERE (and more to come)
Photo galleries Sunday and Saturday
Results CLICK HERE
Global Champions Tour, Lausanne, Switzerland
Laura Kraut was 'over the moon' to win at Lausanne but Edwina held off a challenge from super cool Swede Rolf to maintain the GCT rankings lead
CLICK HERE for our report and photos
Gatcombe Park, UK
It was a good few days for Australians Bill Levett and Paul Tapner at the Whatley Manor International Horse Trials at Gatcombe Park, Gloucestershire, UK.
CLICK HERE for our report
Eventing Canterbury One Day Event, McLeans Island, NZ
Ashburton’s Larissa Srhoy has kicked off the spring eventing season with a dominant win in the Open Intermediate at Eventing Canterbury’s One Day Horse Trial at McLeans Island, New Zealand.
Srhoy, who was having her first start since finishing fifth in the Advanced at the National Three Day Event at Taupo in May, led from go to whoa aboard grand old campaigner Starburst (16) adding just 6.8 time penalties and four show jump penalties to her dressage score to finish on 39.3, more than 10 penalties clear of her nearest rival.
For full report visit http://www.eventingcanterbury.org.nz
FEI World Cup Showjumping, Adelaide
Sixteen combinations started in the competition with five horses having their first start in the World Cup competition. West Australian Alison Rowland jumped two super clear rounds riding her and Nicol Taylor's nine year old mare Bickley Brook Bella to win the Qualifier. Second place was filled by fellow West Australian rider Rory Hovell on his imported stallion Yalambi’s Val D'Isere VDL with a two round total of just one fault. It was only the stallion's second World Cup start. Third place went to South Australian home crowd favourite Kristy Bruin on Belcam Cosmic.
CLICK HERE to read Peter Cook’s report on the Equestrian Australia website
Espayo National Dressage Championships, Britain
It has been a whirlwind two months for Carl Hester and Uthopia and they drew packed stands at Stoneleigh as they delivered an almost foot-perfect performance to win the Dyon Grand Prix with a score of 76.55%.
They followed this up by winning the Espayo Freestyle title and becoming National Champion for a lucky seventh time. Laura Bechtolsheimer gave her best shot with loyal partner Andretti H to their foot tapping Reggae music but they just couldn’t match Carl with 76.58%.
“It’s been great to be able to bring ‘Uti’ here to support those who weren’t able to come to London plus it was fantastic to be able to ride to Tom’s music once again. I’m so pleased with the test today – I stayed in time with the music unlike London where I seemed to be either too fast or too slow. He’s as fit as ever and was really in super self-carriage today. He felt confident and even though there were a few mistakes, it was lovely” said Carl
However Laura won the Suregrow Advanced Medium Open Championship on Polar Bear, her charming home-bred eight-year-old; a gelding by her former Junior team horse Polarion out of a Landadel mare. The pair scored 74.58% to head the high class field of 26 finalists where the top six competitors all broke the benchmark 70% barrier.
“I’m a real proud mum,” smiled Laura after the prize giving. “I’m very pleased with him; he’s taken it all in his stride. With the Olympics this year I haven’t had much time to compete Polar Bear. We did just enough to qualify – two shows, followed by the regionals which he won.”
For full reports and results from all days of the Espayo National Dressage Championships, UK visit http://www.bdchampionships.com/national/index.php
