EWWs Event Reports sponsored by RACESAFE
Sarah Carless reports…
The Festival of British Eventing gets underway
The first day of action at The Festival of British Eventing, presented by The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA), got off to a fantastic start against the stunning backdrop of Gatcombe Park.
Sharon Hunt took a commanding lead in the Dodson & Horrell Novice Champions with Veyga. With a score of 24.9, they had a four penalty lead over second placed riders Alexander Whewall and Edyvanta and Izzy Taylor on Fleurelle.
After the show jumping, the class was being jointly led by Hunt and Whewell, after Veyga dropped a rail to leave both riders on 28.9. Emily Baldwin moved up to third place with Upercourt Cooley after producing a clear round to go forward to cross country on a score of 29.6.
Caroline Harris and Billy Bumble took an early lead in the Smith & Williamson Intermediate Championship. Their score of 27.8 put them just 0.2 penalties ahead of Emily King and Dargun, with Louisa Lockwood and Shannondale Quest lying in third ahead of the show jumping tomorrow.
The Advanced class made a return to The Festival of British Eventing with Tom McEwen taking advantage of being on home territory. With Toledo De Kerser he scored 23.5 to take the lead ahead of Oliver Towend on Dunbeau (25.7) and Selina Milnes on Dunkery Boy (26.8).
Eventing stars of the future were also put in the spotlight in The Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse
class. The Five Year Old class was won by I Spye, ridden by Samantha Mynott owned by Jesse Campbell. Three horses qualified for the final which will take place at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials with second place going to Penhill President ridden by Vicky Brake and third to Kilcarna Roy ridden by Jason Hobbs.
Tomorrow’s action at The Festival of British Eventing gets under way early and includes show jumping and cross country for both the Smith & Williamson Intermediate Championship and Advanced classes and cross country for the Dodson & Horrell Novice Championship.
Competition also gets underway in the Topspec Corinthian Cup Restricted Novice Championship and the Event Rider Masters, incorporating the British Open Championship. Competition is being live streamed on the British Eventing website for the Dodson & Horrell Novice, Smith & Williamson Intermediate, Topspec Corintian Cup and Advanced class, starting at 11am. The Event Rider Masters will also be live streamed from www.eventridermasters.tv.