A happy man - Alex Bragg and Zagreb lead after dressage at Jardy
The overnight leaders of the Event Rider Masters (ERM) Leg 5 at Haras de Jardy Alex Bragg (GBR) and Zagreb, who have a CIC3* Cross Country Clear rate of 92% and “love to jump on a surface”, head into the final day of competition at Jardy on a personal best score of 23.6
Speaking after his test Alex said, “Zagreb is feeling great after his summer break, things didn’t quite go to plan in the Spring but the surface here gave him a great chance to express himself. He’s a really genuine jumper and he’s feeling amazing so I’ll keep pressing the buttons and we’ll see what we can do tomorrow.”
Karim Laghouag and Entebbe de Hus
Leading France’s Bastille Day charge, Karim Laghouag (FRA) and Entebbe de Hus put in a stellar performance to score a 23.9. The pair go into tomorrow’s jumping in 2nd place.
“I am very, very happy, thank you very much for the competition Event Rider Masters. Last year it was Michael (Jung), this year it is me! Entebbe de Hus is my friend and I am very happy.”
Izzy Taylor and Be Touchable
With 421 International runs under her belt, Izzy Taylor was EquiRatings “one to watch” coming into Leg 5. Along with Be Touchable, Izzy produced a super test for a score of 25.1 and 3rd place overnight.
“I’d have liked to have been a bit closer to the top or better still in the lead today. Barbury wasn’t ideal but it is part of our job to stay calm and focussed. We have to learn and move on. We couldn’t do it without our owners and sponsors and it is wonderful when they can be here to see when we do well.”
Tim Price and Wesko
Sitting in 4th overnight are worldwide favourites, Tim Prize (NZL) and Wesko on a strong 25.2 just 0.1 point behind Izzy in 3rd. With Wesko making his return to competition after a two year break, an emotional Tim told us what it was like to be back dancing with his best friend
“It just shows the showman that he is. You wouldn’t normally expect a horse to focus like that on their first time out. It’s like I think it and he does it. He’s a jumping machine and does this bit just to get through to the fun bits. We’re really looking forward to tomorrow.”
It seems that Wesko isn't the only showman out there Tim ................
Australia’s Shane Rose has once again made the journey to Europe to be re-united with CP Qualified and they are currently in equal sixth place on a score of 26 with Britain’s Oliver Townend on Cillnabradden Evo while Bill Levett riding Shannondale Titan, third at Arville, are in 11th place (27.2)
Another Australian and the current Series leader, Chris Burton is in 13th place riding Cooley Lands, one of his WEG nominated mounts, with a score of 28.6 and Katja Weimann on board BP Cosmopolitan is in 34th place (38.4)
Leading for the first two sessions, first to go current World and Olympic Champion Michael Jung (GER) set a high standard for the rest of the field to match by posting a score of 26.9 on young mare Corazon. Haras de Jardy is a happy hunting ground for Michael who won here last year with another inexperience young horse, Star Connection. He goes into the jumping inside the top 10.
Michael Jung and Corazon, a young mare ridden in recent competitions by Australia's Isabel English
The Big Questions
Haras de Jardy 2017 holds the record for the lowest show jumping clear rate (8%) in ERM history and it isn’t only the ERM field who have found it tough. The jumping here is always difficult with an average of only 18% of combinations jumping clear at this level CIC 3*.
With just one pole separating the top 11, will the second phase have as big an impact on the leader board as it did last year?
Fascinatingly, the achievability of the Jardy CIC3* Cross Country time changes year on year. According to the stats 26% of the field make the time every second year with 0% the rest.
History says we are due a very tough time based on this but with the fastest two riders in the world, Chris Burton and Jonelle Price, in the field, can they buck this trend tomorrow?
