Piggy March and Dassett Arthalent
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Saturday at the Chatsworth International Horse Trials was all about the CCI2* and Novice classes with riders taking to the cross country in brilliant sunshine cheered on by a bumper crowd
It is the first time in three years that the event has run and Piggy March celebrated its return by winning two of the four international CCI2* classes
Piggy, recently fourth at Badminton and the World Number Eight, won on Alison Swinburn and John and Chloe Perry's Brookfield Future News and Peter Harris's Dassett Arthalent, who was produced by Irish team rider Clare Abbott. Both of the seven-year-olds will be aimed at the World Young Horse Championships in Le Lion d'Angers, France, in October.
'They're both babies who will continue to develop, but they're two very special horses,' said Piggy. 'This is a great place to get youngsters used to an atmosphere. They've not been to anything like this before and there was a real buzz.'
Austin O'Connor and Silver Don
Many horses enjoyed an educational outing over David Evans's beautifully designed course. Ireland's Austin O' Connor, who also had a brilliant Badminton, won the CCI2* Section A on Tina Mosvold's stallion Silver Don, a nine-year-old by Sandro. Silver Don was bought as a three-year-old for Austin to ride and has been combining competitions with semen collection.
'He has a really good temperament,' commented Austin. 'The plan is to build up his profile, which is why we brought him here as it is the top end of two-star level and a decent track. He handled the terrain really well, so we're delighted - there aren't too many Chatsworths in the calendar.'
Emma Lawton, 24, led from the start on her own Mantra to win the CCI2* Section B on her dressage mark of 25.6, admitting that it had been a nervous overnight wait as she only had 0.6 of a penalty in hand over second-placed Izzy Taylor on Hathaway Royale.
CCI2* Section B winner Emma Lawton receives her trophy from the Duchess of Devonshire and Susie Macarthur (left) of lead sponsor Walker & Morland
Photo: Tim Wilkinson Eventing Images
Emma, from Cheshire, bought Mantra seven years ago as a five-year-old and brought him up to three-star, but has dropped him down a level during the pandemic. 'To come here and lead from the start was such a thrill. We've worked so hard,' said Emma, who is a full-time rider with a DIY yard. 'I always enjoy coming to Chatsworth, but this time the crowds and the atmosphere was amazing.'
Finn Healy from Bamford, Hope Valley, went home with a clutch of trophies - the Perpetual Brigadier Bill Trophy, the Derbyshire Life magazine trophy and the Izzy Squire Memorial Trophy - as best local rider after finishing seventh in section C.
Oliver Townend hotfooted it from a win at Floors Castle in Scotland on Thursday to take first place in the Novice Section E on board Caunton French Exchange and also second place in the Novice Section F, won by John-Paul Sheffield riding Bloomfield Manuscript
Tomorrow is the showpiece CCI4* class in which world champion Ros Canter still holds the lead on Izilot DHI. Gemma Tattersall, a Chatsworth winner in 2018, has slotted into second place on Johan-Some, and French rider Thomas Carlile is third on Darmagnac de Beliard ahead of Izzy Taylor on Hartacker.
Harry Meade riding Red Kite leads the Advanced Section H – the CCI4* and Advanced complete both show jumping and cross country on Sunday
Mark Davidson and Cooley Goodwood, second place CCI2* Section C
