Oliver Townend and Cilnabradden Evo take the ERM Series but just miss out on a third win in a row
Britain’s Oliver Townend was crowned the first Event Rider Masters Champion at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials last weekend
Riding Cilnabradden Evo Oliver finished in second place in the individual leg of the weekend’s competition bringing his total series points to 100, securing him the overall ERM title and the £30,000 first prize. Finishing in second in the 2016 series with 95 points and walking away £15,000 richer was Jonelle Price (NZ) and in third was Paul Tapner (AUS) on 93 points scooping £5,000.
Townend and Cillnabradden Evo have been unbeatable in the previous two legs of the series and they nearly won a third today after riding a clear show jumping round, accumulating just 0.8 time penalties on the cross-county to finish on a score of 46.5. However, Thomas Carlile (FRA), who had to settle for second behind Townend in leg four, reversed the order this time to win the final competition of the 2016 ERM worth a total of £50,000.
Tom Carlile and his stunning stallion Upsilon take the cheque for the final leg
The French dominated the top three on the ERM podium in the first leg and Carlile ensured they dominated the top spot at the series finale. Riding the eight year old grey stallion, the combination set out in pole position on the cross-country completing a superb round with no jumping faults and adding 2.4 penalties to finish on a score of 44.1. With Townend in second spot, Jonelle Price (NZ) and Cloud Dancer took the third place on the podium on a score of 47.1.
Jonelle Price and Cloud Dancer
The overnight dressage leader Astier Nicolas (FRA) and Molakai knocked down some costly poles in show jumping phase dropping them out of contention and completed the competition in sixteenth.
Oliver Townend, visibly delighted following his series win, said;
“To win any leg in the ERM you need an exceptional horse – who is a good mover and jumper, has a great brain and is quick and I feel Cillnabradden Evo has proved he is perfectly suited to this series. I am very proud of him”
“I was a slow starter in the series earlier in the season as I was chasing the Olympic dream and next year I intend to compete in as many legs of the series as I can and aim to retain my title”
Thomas Carlile the winner of the sixth and final leg of the 2016 ERM said;
“This horse is amazing, he is only eight years old. He has done a lot this year for his age, so the plan is to for him to have a holiday and then some winter stud duties then I expect I will target him at this series again next year, rather than a big three day event”
Tom Carlile heads back to France a little richer!
