World Number One leads the Lycetts Grantham Cup CCI4*
The big focus of a sunny Thursday at the Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby Park was the dressage for both the Lycetts Grantham Cup CCI4*-S Section G and the BEDE Events CCI4*-S Section H with big hitters in each class today. Two Antipodeans got the action underway in each section with Tim Price riding Vitali in the Grantham Cup and Kevin McNab riding Faro Imp the first down the centreline for the dressage phase of the first 4* classes on this year’s British Eventing calendar.
Tim and Vitali finished the afternoon in second place (27.7) and his Paris 2024 team mate Clarke Johnstone riding Menlo Park is just behind in third (29.7) but it is the World Number One, Tom McEwen who leads the Lycetts Grantham Cup CCI4*-S Section G with his Paris gold medal winning horse, JL Dublin.
They have a few penalties in hand with a score of 24.5 but his team mates will be out to better that on Friday with Laura Collett riding London 52, who has already shown himself on top form winning warm-up events and Ros Canter riding Lordships Graffalo.
Friday will also see last year’s winners Emily King on Valmy Biats and Alex Hua Tian, currently in fourth place (29.90) riding Jillsonne van Bareelhof, will return on Chicko among the ones to watch.
Jesse Campbell leads the BEDE Events CCI4*-S Section H
Jesse Campbell is spearheading the Antipodean push in the ‘other’ 4* class with his late wife, Georgie Campbell’s Speedwell on top of the leaderboard on a score of 30 while the 2* leader, Kevin McNab holds second place (30.8) in this class on the first horse down the centreline, Faro Imp.
Laura Collett and Bling, one of the two mares she has entered for Badminton, is in third place on 32.4.
Tim Price will be the first out again on Friday in this class, this time riding one of his Badminton entries, Viscount Viktor while Will Rawlin riding Ballycoog Breaker Boy will be first out for the second session of dressage in the Lycett’s Grantham Cup
Kevin McNab leads the Arena Saddles CCI2*
The Arena Saddles CCI2* combinations were first out in the morning and, with a full day of dressage under their belt and more to come tomorrow, it is Australia’s Kevin McNab riding Quality Time that leads the class on a score of 27.9.
Lucinda Atkinson told us that she had come back from a recent holiday in Dubai feeling refreshed and ready for the season and she certainly has got her first horse here underway successfully, currently in second place (29.9) riding PRF Made In England, who she is hopefully aiming for Le Mondial du Lion Young Horse Championships later in the year. Zara Head riding Accelerando is currently in third (30.1).
It will be all over on Friday for these guys, with more dressage tomorrow, showjumping starting at 11:30 and cross country in the afternoon so check back and find out who our 2* winners are tomorrow!
