It’s always exciting to wander around a big event as things are being put in place for the start and, with many banking on Michael Jung pulling off the Rolex Grand Slam at this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, there is an added expectation
Sadly some of the other big favourites are out with William Fox-Pitt, Pippa Funnell (who pulled out after a bad fall at Withington Manor on the weekend which left her in hospital for two nights) and Andrew Nicholson having withdrawn but today it was not about big names at all in the competition arena
As traders move in their wares, Mitsubishi arranged their cars and the marquees were being prepared for the VIP’s, the riders in the inaugural Mitsubishi Motors Cup started out in the dressage arenas
Tomas Cousillas and Cundlegreen Darius in the BE90
Day one of competition at the Mitsubishi Motors Cup completed with Alana Sparrow and Fashion Rocks retaining their lunchtime lead in the BE100 competition and Karon Carson with Finding Nico and Samantha Jimmerson riding Mrs Josie Robinson’s Dayton Di Villa Lori tied for the overnight top spot in the BE90 class.
With no change to the top of the leader board after lunch in the BE100, Alana Sparrow from Rotherfield held her first place with Bryony Whittington’s Fashion Rocks on a score of 28 penalties; “I am really, really pleased, he rose to the occasion and I think he enjoyed himself! It is a privilege to ride him here and can’t thank Bryony Whittington enough who owns him, bred him and trains me. She’s really proud and likes being an owner.
The 19 year old who is studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Durham University spoke about the upcoming cross country test; “It’s a challenge but I’m looking forward to it. I’ve never been to the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials before, I didn’t want to come until I was riding so I’m happy to be here riding in the Mitsubishi Motors Cup. I have exams in two weeks so I can’t stay for the whole week, I have to get back to revise.”
Emma Richardson (51), who runs a livery yard from her home in Humberside, and her own Cookie Rich are just 0.1 penalties behind Alana with 49 year old Lynne Clarke, a Base Captain for easyJet, and her own Apache VII from Ashington, West Sussex, taking third place overnight on 28.8 penalties.
Harriet Ford and According to Archie in the BE100 sporting their special outfit won in a recent Harry Hall competition
It was all change late on in the BE90 class as 43 year old Karon Carson from Dunbar in East Lothian slotting into first place on board the 11 year old Finding Nico. The freelance riding instructor piloted her 16.3hh piebald to a fantastic 25.9 penalty dressage test; “My stand out memory as I went down the centre line was seeing Jennie Loriston-Clarke and thinking ‘I better be accurate’, she is such a legend! I have a great relationship with my horse, I enjoyed every minute, I’m chuffed. He was very relaxed, with me and I couldn’t be happier.”
Joining Karon in first place Nicola Collins (36) from Bredon, Tewkesbury, and her own Jumbo Rose II also posted a score of 25.9 penalties. The Sales manager for Mars Horsecare and ‘Tilly’ couldn’t have been happier with their test; “I’m doing this for the family as my sister was entered but her horse went lame and my mum died the year before last and she helped me break Tilly in, so this is for her.”
Overnight third place in the BE90 goes to 28 year old Samantha Jimmison and Mrs Josie Robinson’s Dayton Di Villa Lori, the yard owner and producer of young horses from Doncaster scored 26.3 penalties on the 17hh grey gelding affectionately known as ‘Dayton’.
Basking in the spring sunshine riders from all corners of the UK relished in the buzzing Mitsubishi Motors Cup atmosphere to produce fantastic tests across the classes. 62 riders from the BE90 and 50 from the BE100 completed their first phase of competition today with the remaining competitors starting their event tomorrow before taking on the show jumping and cross country phases.
The show jumping competition for BE100 riders kicks off at 8.30am tomorrow morning with the first riders to tackle the James Willis’ designed cross country course getting started at 9.30am.
In the meantime, here’s a quick snippet of what is to come ..........
