Sam Griffiths and the fancy mover , Beaurepaire Nemo, were second after Thursday's CICO3* dressage
Seven countries are taking part in the FEI Nations Cup CICO3* eventing competition this week at Houghton Hall in Norfolk.
France, the USA, Netherlands, Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand and Germany are the teams in their drawn order and, after Thursday’s dressage, Australia’s Sam Griffiths on Beaurepaire Nemo were the leading combination in the teams competition on a score of 41.
No wonder she's happy! A personal best for Gemma and Chico Bella P
It was Britain’s Gemma Tattersall however who led the individual competition at the end of the first day with a fabulous score of 32.7, giving her a very handy margin over her fellow competitors. Gemma, recently third at Badminton on Arctic Soul, seems to be on a roll at the moment, with this score being a personal best on her ride here Chico Bella P, the 12 year old mare owned by Christopher Stone. Gemma is not riding as part of the British team at Houghton which consists of Sarah Bullimore riding Valentino V, Laura Collett riding Mr Bass, Coral Keen Wellshead Fare Opposition and Izzy Taylor on Call Me Maggie May
Oliver Townend, seen here riding Ridire Dorcha in the CIC2*
Oliver Townend is competing as an individual and will be giving the competition his best shot to be in with a chance of winning another leg of the Shearwater Insurance Tri-Star Grand Slam. Oliver won the first leg at Burnham Market International while Chris Burton took the second leg at Belton Park International; as Chris is not competing here Oliver could be one step closer to scooping £50,000, ‘winner-takes-all’ prize for any rider who can win three of the five CIC3* events; Burnham Market International, Belton International, Houghton International, Hopetoun International and Burgham International. He has several chances to win here with four horses entered in the 3*, Black Tie II, Dromgurrihy Blue, Skyhills Cavalier and MHS King Joules with Skyhills Cavalier in equal 9th place at the end of the first day
Izzy Taylor and Call Me Maggie May were the best British team combination in interim fifth place
On Thursday’s interim scores the CCI2* was led by Tim Price riding Danturano K (38.7) and last year’s National U21 Champion Will Furlong led the CCI1* while the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse classes drew to a close. Jane Heerbeck’s Horatio, ridden by JP Sheffield, made it two wins on the trot having taken the Four Year Old class at Rockingham last weekend, while in the Five Year Old section Sarah Bullimore took the honours on her husband’s Corouet, another horse to have also won his class at Rockingham.
Kevin McNab and Killossery Karisma interim 13th CCI2* (above) and Bill Levett on Piltown Colours in the CCI1*
