Emilie Chandler and Gortfadda Diamond
An Eventful Life is filming all competitors on cross country at
Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby Park 2023 - order or view videos here
Three of Britain’s shining stars currently top the leaderboard in the CCI4*-S Section O at the Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby Park, but it is currently Emilie Chandler and Gortfadda Diamond that shine the brightest after Thursday’s competition
Emilie and Gortfadda Diamond, who have withdrawn from Badminton, hold the lead on a score of 27 with Bubby Upton and Cannavaro, still on the entry list for Badminton, in second place (30.6) and World Champion Yasmin Ingham riding the Kentucky-bound Rehy DJ in third (32.2)
Yasmin Ingham and Rehy DJ
Just 11 competitors took to the lush lawn in the Walled Garden at Thoresby to get the CCI4* underway on Thursday with the rest of Section O to start on Friday morning. A fabulous line-up in the CCI4* includes World Number One, Tim Price on Coup De Coeur Dudevin, Ros Canter, Laura Collett, Tom McEwen and many more in both sections of the class.
The CCI4*-S Section P starts Friday afternoon with Australia’s Bill Levett riding Huberthus AC and Sarah Clark riding LV Balou Jeanz scheduled early in the afternoon, although it seems possible that Sarah may not ride due to a potential foot abscess for poor LV Balou Jeanz.
Bill may be hobbling a bit too, after being kicked by a horse, but will be putting his best foot forward! Bill also has RNH Tom Tom R in this class, which also sees Kiwis Jonelle Price on LEB Lia Jewel and Ginny Thomasen on Capitaine De Hus Z and Gladstone II
While conditions were good during the competition on Thursday, the weather is once again impacting the eventing schedule. Following overnight rain on Wednesday and light rain forecast for Friday, BEDE Events has taken the difficult decision to to abandon Friday's national classes, with the exception of the Open Novice Under 18 (section D).
The affected sections are Novice sections A, B, and C, plus Intermediate section F, with the aim of preserving the ground for the higher level classes and senior horses requiring a pathway for the Spring CCI5* events.
“It hasn't been an easy decision as the ground on course at the moment is truly fantastic and the feedback from those on site is exceptional” says Event Director, Stuart Buntine “However, we feel that in making the decision early we can prevent a number of horse and rider combinations travelling, which will be to the benefit of horse welfare
Our focus is to give priority to those senior horses and riders who are desperate for their OI, Advanced and CCI4*S runs as they make their preparations for both Kentucky and Badminton. We also see the need to prioritise the CCI2* and CCI3* for those requiring MERs. We are truly sorry for those Novice and Intermediate competitors affected."
Bubby Upton and Viktor Krum
The CCI2*-S also got underway on Thursday with Lucinda Standish riding her own Global Promise leading on a score of 27.4 and Bubby Upton heading up the CCI3*-S riding Viktor Krum (27.7), who recently took second place at Lincolnshire Horse Trials, ahead of Germany’s Dirk Schrade riding Casino 80 (29.80). Both classes resume dressage on Friday
Even if there is less cross country action than usual, the Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby Park has something for all the family to enjoy, so get on down there if you can! To book advance tickets, and save on the gate price, visit www.bede-events.co.uk
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