by bramhamadmin | Jun 9, 2024 | Uncategorized
Wiltshire-based rider Harry Meade has been coming to compete at Bramham for some 23 years and has had a number of top placings, but today he realised an ambition in standing atop the podium for the first time, emulating his father Richard Meade, who won in 1975. Riding Stephen and Dinah Posford and Jules Carter’s Annaghmore Valoner, he jumped the perfect clear round to finish on his dressage score and take the show piece Defender CCI4*-L at the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials.
After a fantastic Saturday marking Ian Stark’s final cross-country course as designer at Bramham due to his retirement, it was nail-bitingly close heading into today’s final phase, with less than one pole down separating the top five.
Ros Canter and MHS Seventeen have been super consistent all week for owners Lady Milnes Coates and Deirdre Johnston, and a clear today put them in prime position to finish no worse than fourth. Next up was the rising talent of Max Warburton with The Paske Syndicate’s Deerpairc Revelry, who impressed across the country yesterday to rise up the leaderboard with a clear. They too left the poles in position for an immaculate clear.
It was then Harry’s turn with the beautiful mare Annaghmore Valoner. Harry is a master under pressure, which he used to his advantage to conjure a stunning clear, heaping the pressure on overnight leaders, Tom Jackson and S.H.E. Eventing AB’s Ask for Manchier.
Tom admitted that jumping on the final day isn’t the horse’s forte, but his worst fear was realised when they had the first fence down. Keeping his cool, Tom nursed the ‘Manny’ round without further fault, showing his ability to be a great, calm horseman. That dropped them to fifth and handed the 2024 Defender title to Harry.
Harry said afterward; “This is such a special event and I’ve grown up wanting to one day win – I think I first rode here about 23 years ago! I knew the time was tight, but just focused on my game plan. I was so pleased when I came out that we’d nailed it – the warm-up and what went on in the ring. I was so pleased that had gone right, I almost forgot about the competition. I’d been so focused on that performance and it was actually Oliver Townend who told me I’d won because Tom had the first fence down. My instant reaction was ‘oh no, poor Tom’, not the score – particularly when it’s friends, you don’t want to wish anyone ill, just focus on myself.
“I totally love her and have a real soft spot for her – she’s just a lovely, lovely person, there’s not an ounce of malice in her. She’s really talented, but she’s a worrier and she’s one you try and hold her hand to give her latent talent the chance to come to fruition, which just feels as rewarding as any win. You don’t get any better preparation to go five-star than Blenheim and Bramham – for me, she’s got all the ingredients, the bravery, the stamina, the speed, the scope in all three phases.
“Without Bramham, we’d be completely lost – it’s loved by everyone, but we simply couldn’t produce horses for five-star without it. I like every horse to come here, but also it’s such a fun, beautiful place. It’s horse-friendly, rider-friendly – it’s a really happy, relaxed atmosphere, but with a real buzz,” he declared.
On his career best result, Max said; “I’m delighted. I wasn’t quite expecting that result, but I’m absolutely thrilled! The dressage has always been a bit of a weak phase and we’ve spent a lot of time and effort, so I was thrilled with that. I put a lot of pressure on myself at Badminton and had a completion, but I came away thinking ‘just settle down’, have more of a plan and don’t set out all gung ho – and that definitely worked. I was a bit more cool and it worked. It’s a dream – I work day in and day out and this is what you ride them for. Bramham’s a fantastic show!”
Third-placed Ros had this to say about her ride: “He is an amazing jumper – he’s probably one of the best I’ve had. Just before I went in, everyone stopped and watched him. He does fill you with confidence and he’s getting better and better. He used to be a little bit careful, a bit stiff, but now he’s getting really fluent as well – he’s just good fun to ride in the jumping.
“I was absolutely over the moon with him yesterday. He is such a careful horse, as you’ve seen today, and I felt it was a big ask to go round Bramham, but I wanted to come here and see what he was made of. We had a few jumps where he went a bit green, but what I was so thrilled about was how he carried on afterwards and gained in confidence all the way around,” she said.
Ros also had a great ride in the CCI4*-S on her Olympic hopeful horse, Lordships Graffalo, also known as Walter, and she added; “I ran at Bicton a few weeks ago and felt there was a few things I wanted to tune up a little bit and they all came off as I wanted them to here. Walter’s had a thoroughly nice time and a lovely day out!”
So, the 2024 50th birthday edition of the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials comes to an end. Thank you to everyone who supported our special anniversary event – it’s been a year of reminiscing and making new memories. See you 5–8 June next year!
by bramhamadmin | Jun 9, 2024 | Uncategorized
The Sunday finale to the CCI4*-L U25 at the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials was all about clear jumping rounds. Warwickshire-based rider Emma Thomas, riding her own The Buzz Factor, held her nerve to produce an immaculate clear under the pressure of knowing she couldn’t have a fence down and still take the class and the coveted British U25 Champion crown.
Going into the final phase, third-placed Isabel White and Icarus put the pressure on with a great round, which earned just 1.6 time penalties with all the poles in place, to end their event on 50.3. Next in was Cassie Sanger from the USA with the second of her two rides, Fernhill Zoro. Cassie expertly piloted the athletic bay and he didn’t look like touching a pole – clear all the way to remain on their two-day total of 43.6.
It was then down to the wire for Emma and The Buzz Factor, a horse she’d originally bought eight years ago to do Pony Club eventing – they could afford some time faults, but not a fence. Emma looked brimming with confidence, having had a corker of a ride across the country yesterday, and the dark bay looked like the 10-minute course hadn’t taken anything out of him. They were faultless all the way and Emma let out a little squeal of joy as she cleared the final fence – fittingly, title sponsor Defender’s branded jump.
After a taking in her lap of honour, Emma said; “I feel amazing… and it’s a massive relief, actually! It’s so hard because I know he’s so capable of it, but anything can go wrong in a split second and I so didn’t want to mess up.
“I was thrilled with his [dressage] test – the score wasn’t great, but he was really in the mix, so you have to let that go. He was really rideable and with me the whole way, which was lovely. Cross-country yesterday, I was absolutely thrilled with him. He’s not been to a big party in about 18 months, so I got on and he was very fresh in the warm-up and out of the start box, but once he settled into a rhythm, we really got going. I had a run-out on him at the arrowhead at the top of the hill here two years ago, so once I’d jumped that I had a little internal ‘woo hoo, yes’, then had to refocus. Today, I really tried not to overthink it. I walked the course and I just tried to treat it like I was jumping at my local show. He’s not the most conventional, but I love sitting on him, and he really tries and is so scopey. I just love him so much, I owe my whole career to him,” she said with clear emotion.
Second-placed Bramham debutante Cassie Sanger is now a firm fan of the event. She said; “I feel really relieved to be done – it’s been a long week and quite stressful, but a really fun experience. Two horses have kept me busy, but I really like having my duo. It’s really nice to have two – if you make a mistake on one, you have a shot at redemption – the second time out you just feel more confident too.
“My first horse, Redfield Fyre, is so green and he’s exceeded our expectations this spring. We never expected this – it was only about a month ago that we decided to enter. He’s such a good cross-country horse, but the dressage is a struggle for him, and it definitely was, but that’s okay because he’s just going to keep getting better and better. On Fernhill Zoro, I was hoping to put down our best test yet and I did far from that! On Friday afternoon, it was definitely a struggle to get my head back where it needed to be, but I’m proud that I was able to do that and go out on Saturday and just give it everything I had.
“Bramham is different to what I thought it’d be. I was told it was hardest four-star there is and it really is – everything is just the highest calibre. It’s such an exciting competition,” she said.
Third placed Isabel White reflected on her week with Icarus; “I’m absolutely thrilled with him. I’d hoped to have a good week, but I can’t quite believe we’re on the podium! My dressage didn’t quite go to plan – I thought he’d really light up with the atmosphere and he didn’t at all – and we slightly overworked him, but he redeemed himself and jumped brilliantly.
“I’ve had him three and half years now, and he’s come on a long way and really strengthened up now. This is definitely the biggest atmosphere he’s ever seen and I can’t believe how well he’s coped, really. He’s quite shy in the stable, but loves a crowd and really comes to life when ridden. I’d like to think we could go five-star – he made the cross-country feel easy, which is a relief,” she summed up.
Full results are available on https://bit.ly/DefenderBIHT2024timesandresults.
Diary date: Defender Bramham International Horse Trials 2025 – 5- 8 June.
by bramhamadmin | Jun 8, 2024 | Uncategorized
British Olympic hopefuls Kitty King and Vendredi Biats certainly gave the team selectors a clear message with their storming victory in the Defender CCI4*-S section at the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials.
It was fellow Paris 2024 contenders Ros Canter and Archie and Michele Saul’s Lordships Graffalo who started the day in pole position, following a super clear in the morning’s showjumping phase. However Ros elected to give ‘Walter’ a steady round across the country rather than pressing on for a competitive finish. It was a classy performance nonetheless and will have showed their prowess ahead of final selection for the Paris trip.
The early charge for a podium place was cemented by the consistent duo of Kazuma Tomoto and Vinci de la Vigne JRA for Japan, who purred round after a clear showjumping round to clock up just 6.8 time faults, which ensured they’d keep their third place at least.
Ireland’s Austin O’Connor and the ever-popular Colorado Blue, owned by The Salty Syndicate, were the next pairing to secure a podium place with a classy round in Bramham Park in the effortless style we’ve come to expect from this pair – could it be enough to secure their place at the Games? They were just one of a few to make the time and finish on their dressage score – second place was theirs at worst.
It was all down to the indomitable partnership of Kitty King and Vendredi Biats, owned by Diana Bown, Samantha Wilson, Sally Lloyd-Baker and John Eyre. They were faultless over the coloured poles in the Defender Arena, before heading out on the cross-country course knowing they had a margin of just 0.8 penalties or two seconds. Kitty was trialing a new bit because the usual combination she uses has been deemed illegal by the international governing body, so – just weeks away from a potential team call-up – she needs a new alternative that suits both her and the sensitive French-bred gelding.
She started cautiously, but looked in complete control and entirely at ease. They grew in confidence and progressed as if on rails, meeting each fence in the perfect rhythm and jumping with ease. The clock was counting down as the fences were successfully negotiated and they cantered through the finish to stop the clock on 6.30 – well inside the time for the fastest round of the day. It was a second Braham win for the pairing, having already taken the CCI4*-L title in 2019.
Kitty admitted to it being an emotional win; “We haven’t had the best build-up to Bramham with the news that the FEI banned my normal cross-country bit that he’s gone in for seven years, and it’s been tricky trying to find a new combination that works for us both. He also got pus in the foot ahead of Bicton, so missed that vital run so I knew everything was riding on Bramham. It’s also been a bad start to the week – I had to have my dog put down on Monday and a family member hasn’t been well at all – but I won on the Premium Bonds on Wednesday, so it’s got better, and ‘Froggy’s’finished it really well. It was great to have a spin round on Louis [Crystal Fontaine] first – he was super. It really helped me know where to move and save a bit of time and he was much improved from Bicton.
“It’s a massive relief and it’s fantastic he’s gone so well and pulled it out of the bag for me again. It was a good week – in the end,” she reflected.
The final combination to take to the cross-country course, Aaron Millar and Alex Van Tuyll’s Count Onyx, had a great round with just 3.2 time penalties after a clear show jumping to rise from 12th after dressage to fourth overall. The top six was completed by 2022 winning rider Izzy Taylor, this time riding SBH Big Wall for owner Jane Timms in fifth, while Kitty finished sixth with her other ride, Cristal Fontaine, owned by Alex and Camilla Wakeley.
For full results, please visit: https://bit.ly/DefenderBIHT2024timesandresults.
by bramhamadmin | Jun 8, 2024 | Uncategorized
The Defender CCI4*-L got the cross-country action underway in the glorious Bramham Park, and it was Dorset-based rider Aaron Millar and Cooley Exchange who acted as pathfinders over Ian Stark’s finale as course designer at the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials.
The first of the leading pack to head out on the course was Ros Canter with Lady Milne Coates and Deirdre Johnston’s MHS Seventeen, who led the dressage on day one but were relegated to second place by Tom Jackson and Ask for Manchier on Friday. Ros is heralded as one of the best riders across the country and her round with ‘Vinnie’ certainly proved it, with Ian Stark crediting it as his round of the day. It has a great display to stop the clock at 10.24, five seconds over the time to give two time penalties for a two-phase total of 31.9, which set the target.
Soon after came last year’s CCI4*-S champions, Selina Milnes and the Rucker’s Cooley Snapchat, and it looked as though their previous trip around Bramham put them in good stead because they cruised round, stopping the clock with one second to spare – the first combination to make the time, meaning they’d finish the day in fifth place at worst.
Next of the leading contenders was Max Warburton, who impressed in the dressage with Deerpairc Revelry, who he rides for the Paske Syndicate. Max achieved a life’s ambition last month when he completed his first CCI5* at Badminton, so he arrived in Yorkshire brimming with confidence, which has been channeled into his performance here. He and the horse really travelled well and took on Ian’s course in style. They tipped the watch bang on the optimum time of 10.19, perfectly judged to finish on their dressage score of 31.5 and promoting them up the leaderboard, one place over Ros Canter.
Then, it was what the enthusiastic crowds lining the course across the green vista of Bramham Park were eagerly awaiting – our dressage leaders, Tom Jackson and Ask for Manchier, owned by S.H.E. Eventing AB. Tom and ‘Manny’ delivered the round they wanted to see, with the talented grey gelding seemingly jumping for fun despite this being his CCI4*-L debut. They were quick too, delivering the fastest time of the day to remain on their dressage of 28.8, and keeping their top of the podium place going into the final day.
Tom was clearly happy with his morning’s work; “I’m delighted with him. As I’ve previously said, we’ve had a real lack of preparation, so there were a few greener moments, but he finished strong. He’s proved what a strong cross-country horse he is – he felt like we could have gone 30 seconds quicker because he just cruised along in a really nice, easy rhythm and finished really well and confidently,” he said.
“Both horses had really good spins today, so fingers crossed for the both of them. It rides more like a five-star here – the terrain, the size of the fences – you feel you’re having to work quite hard, but it’s the reason we come here. It absolutely delivered today and hopefully Ian [Stark] will be pleased,” he concluded.
The penultimate combination, Harry Meade and Annaghmore Valoner, who he rides for Dinah Posford, Jules Carter, and Stephen Posford, had the chance to improve their placing by one with a good round. They progressed well around the course, taking everything in their stride until the Speedi-Beet Double second element, where an awkward jump was given 15 penalties for missing a flag. Unaware of that, Harry forged on and completed the course in 10.12.
Once the penalties had been relayed to Harry by his support team, he asked for a review. The Ground Jury revisited the footage and agreed that the horse had legally navigated the obstacle, so the penalties were removed to give Harry second place to end the day.
The CCI4*-L U25 is the ideal proving ground for future stars, with some of the sport’s leading names adorning the trophy in days past. Today’s cross-country proved an influential test, with the leaderboard changing considerably. The first combination to go, Britain’s Emma Thomas with Pippa Williams and Rebecca Valarde’s The Buzz Factor, threw down the gauntlet with a super jumping clear and just 3.2 time penalties to add to a dressage of 37.2. That was the target set for the others to beat.
It was the second of Cassie Sanger’s rides, Fernhill Zoro, that proved the most successful. Cassie is over in the UK as part of the US Equestrian Team development squad to earn vital experience, and her two rides around Bramham will have certainly helped hone her cross-country skills. She and Fernhill Zoro skipped round to add 6.4 time penalties to her dressage of 37.2 – the same mark as Emma – to go second.
Isabel White completes the podium with her own Icarus and they too had an impressive trip around Ian Stark’s cross-country track, finishing some 30 seconds over the time to clock up 12.4 time penalties and end the day in third on 48.7.
Dressage leaders Molly Evans and Wellan Graffiti had a miscommunication at the second element of day’s most influential fence, the Speedi-Beet Double at fence 20, and collected 20 penalties, which relegated them down the order.
An elated Emma said; “It was amazing, I was very, very pleased with him. He felt really smooth all the way round – he hasn’t always been the best at long-format, but I really feel we’ve worked out a system now. He went all the way to the end and his time was brilliant – he made a good job of everything. He was my first horse – we bought him as a five-year-old and we’ve come through the levels together, so it was a bit of the blind leading the blind. He’s been very forgiving, it’s been half his inexperience and half mine. Having had the other horse [Icarus X], who’s very brave, I’m much more confident in the way I ride.
“I was really happy with the course. I actually hadn’t intended going straight at the Roundhouse until I saw the first few jump it brilliantly and I thought they were reading that really well. I always love it here, I love Ian’s courses – it’s the best track to prep them for the next level. The waters were really fun to ride this year – big and bold in, big out but still forgiving enough. It’s tough but fair.”
British rider Saffron Cresswell had a fall when going well with Vivendi Hero and the following statement was issued at the conclusion of the cross country:
Update: Saffron Cresswell
Rider Saffron Cresswell (GBR) had a fall on the cross-country course while competing in the CCI4*-L U25 at the Defender Bramham Horse Trials and was immediately attended to by the onsite medical team. She was transferred by road ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary for further assessment. She is comfortable and talking to her family.
Her horse Vivendi Hero was taken back to the stable area by the courtesy ambulance after being checked by the veterinary team and is uninjured.
The family request that their privacy is respected at this time.
The second horse inspection is at 09:00 for the U25 section, followed by the CCI4*-L, before the final jumping phase at 11.30 with the U25 prizes presented at 12:15. The eventing finale gets underway at 13.30 with our champion crowned at 14.30. The annual Bramham curtain-closer, the Wetherby Skips Grand Prix, starts at 16.15.
You can watch the eventing final phases live via Horse & Country TV with a subscription. Full running order and results are available on https://bit.ly/DefenderBIHT2024timesandresults.
by bramhamadmin | Jun 7, 2024 | Uncategorized
Two days of dressage have been completed with some exciting, and interesting, leaderboard shuffles.
Defender CCI4*S-S
We end day two of dressage in the short-format section with a completely new podium that has a distinctly Anglo-Asian feel.
The leaderboard had an early change when second-to-go Kazuma Tomoto for Japan, riding By Design JRA, a former ride of France’s Astier Nicholas, powered into the lead. The pairing know each other well, having represented the home side at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games where they finished fourth, and that partnership – plus the expertise of long-term coach ‘Mr. Bramham’ himself, William Fox-Pitt – proved fruitful for a score of 24.5, to overtake compatriot and Thursday leader Ryuzo Kitajima and Be My Daisy.
Just before midday in the Defender Arena, the crowds began to swell with an air of anticipation due to the imminent arrival of eventing royalty. They weren’t disappointed because reigning European champions Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, owned by Archie and Michele Saul, took to the arena and proceeded to take the lead. The duo are, of course, in search of that all-important call up to the British team for Paris 2024, and today’s display will have certainly bolstered their chances.
Ros and ‘Walter’ looked silky smooth, with every move seemingly going to plan, and the Ground Jury rewarded them with percentages just over 78%, 76% and 77% from Robert Stevenson at E, Andrew Bennie at C and Anne-Marie Taylor at M respectively, which gave a final penalty score of 22.5 to take a decisive hold of the competition.
Ros was clearly pleased with their performance; “I’m delighted with him – I thought he was super all the way through, actually. In his test at Bicton, he was great, but just occasionally I felt like he was a bit in front of me, a little bit bright and sparky – he squealed a bit in the warm-up,” she explained.
“I’ve done a little bit more work with him here because I wanted to gauge how much I could afford to do. He’s always been quite a quiet horse, but he’s 12 now and really hitting maturity, so he feels the bee’s knees. We’ve just got to keep making sure we’ve got the right balance of calmness and expression at the same time, but I thought that today was a good balance.
“I’m working quite hard – I suppose you always do in dressage – but he’s a good lad. He likes to have his own little fun at times, but if you’ve got the brain in the right place, he’s really reliable. I was sitting in the lorry earlier, going through my test and thinking how I’d warm up, and I was thinking that if I’d got the warm-up right, I’d know because he is like that,” the Lincolnshire rider summed up.
China’s Alex Hua Tian went just a few horses later with his own Jilsonne van Bareelhof. The duo cut quite the dash as they navigated the arena, with many movements akin to what you’d expect to see from a pure dressage performance. There was much to like, despite a few small but expensive blips, and a final score of 23.8 neatly put them second, relegating Kazuma Tomoto to third and Ryuzo Kitajima to fourth.
The top five is completed by 2019 Bramham victors Kitty King and Vendredi Biats, owned Diana Bown, Samantha Wilson, Sally Lloyd-Baker and John Eyre. This duo is the epitome of partnership and know each other so well, which really resonated today with a sterling effort, only marred by an over-exuberant flying change to give 25.2.
The short-format section is in action in the Defender Arena over the coloured poles, expertly laid out by showjumping course designer Jason Abbs, from 08:30. This will be followed by their final cross-country phase from 12:30. Come 17:30, we should know who our Defender CCI4*-S champions are.
Defender CCI4*-L
With the dressage phase complete, it’s a very British affair in the leaderboard of the Defender CCI4*-L with a flurry of late entries into the top 10. Overnight leader Ros Canter, riding MHS Seventeen for Lady Milnes Coates and Deirdre Johnston in this section, has been relegated to second by a late charge from Tom Jackson. Winner of the U25 section here at Bramham in 2014, Tom expertly piloted eye-catching grey Ask For Manchier, owned by S.H.E. Eventing AB, through the first phase of his CCI4*-L debut. All three judges awarded their well-presented test with +70% scores for a final penalty of 28.8.
After his test, Tom said; “I’m really pleased with him. He definitely hasn’t had the best of preparations leading into this, but he certainly kept his head in there. I left a few marks in there, so there’s room for improvement, but I’m very happy with how he coped in there.
“I was really pleased with the trot work, but in the canter he started to get a little behind me so we just missed the last change, which is frustrating because his changes are normally bang-on. He’s in first, we’ll take that! It’s his first time at this level, but hopefully he’s got enough mileage to tackle Ian’s course tomorrow,” he said of his ever-consistent partner.
Tom went on to elaborate on why the build-up hasn’t been smooth sailing, much to everyone’s surprise.
“I actually managed to break my leg six weeks [in a fall from a young horse] before Badminton, which hampered preparation for the horses I have here, but they’re experienced enough to cope with it. Thanks to the World Class Programme I wasn’t out long – Ash [Wallace, Athlete Health Lead for the British Equestrian World Class Programme] and her team were phenomenal in managing me so I could do a few events with less horses and build me back up so I was fully fit for Badminton, and I haven’t looked back since.”
Ros Canter is just 1.1 penalties adrift with MHS Seventeen, while the penultimate pairing of Harry Meade and Annaghmore Valoner, owned by Dinah Posford, Jules Carter and Stephen Posford, parachuted onto the podium with a 31.3.
World Class Podium Potential Pathway rider Max Warburton shone to go fourth with The Paske Syndicate’s Deerpairc Revelry, while Selina Miles and Cooley Snapchat, who won the CCI4*-S here last year, hold fifth.
The Defender CCI4*-L section open the day in the park, when they tackle Ian Stark’s swansong cross-country test from 09:00.
CCI4*-L U25
The lead in the U25 section is held by Ireland’s Molly Evans and Wellan Graffiti, known as Lulu. Molly has made her first ever trip to Bramham and the Yorkshire weather, spectacular surroundings and warm welcome has certainly made an impact on the rider from Ballynahinch in Northern Ireland. Her final tune-up with Pammy Hutton FBHS certainly reaped rewards when she and Lulu lit up the arena for 33.1
“It didn’t start the way I planned,” said Molly. “She actually warmed up extremely really well. I was a bit worried I’d done too long because we used to just go pretty much straight in in the early days, but she went in and did a beautiful test. It’s a big atmosphere in there – the biggest she’s ever been in before, and me – but she took it all in her stride. My first halt, I knew it was square – a pleasant surprise – I just thought I just need to remember where I was going. There were a few bits that didn’t quite go to plan that I thought would cost us, but everything between was foot-perfect.
“This is the biggest competition we’ve ever done – it’d be our pinnacle just now. I’d hoped to have been here a few years earlier, but I got sick and she had to take a back seat. Five-star is her aim and it’s exciting to be here in this atmosphere. We get crowds in Ireland, but not like here. It was a real educational experience today for her and me – we got such a cheer coming out, which was lovely.
“People told me it was like a mini-Badminton and I didn’t believe them. They said I’d need to pull my socks up! When I got here I was like wow, this cross-country is huge! The place, the set-up, the tradestands, the members’ tent, the main arena, everything is just done so well.”
And her thoughts on the test ahead of her tomorrow across the country? “I love it! It’s fantastic, big, bold jumping and we can let the handbrake off – we’re looking forward to it!”
French athletes have a fantastic track record in this class and Johann Reim riding Chronos Dujo have kept up the trend for his countrymen. They scored 35.6 to go second, while Pony European Championship medalist Saffron Cresswell riding Barratt Eventing’s Vivendi Hero took third spot ahead of tomorrow’s all-important cross-country phase.
Coming up tomorrow
The showjumping for the Defender CCI4*-S in the main arena kicks off Super Saturday’s packed timetable at 08:30, while the first competitor in the CCI4*-L sets off on Ian Stark’s cross-country track in the park at 09:00.
For full start times and results, head over to Eventing Scores. You can livestream all the action with a subscription to Horse & Country TV.
by bramhamadmin | Jun 6, 2024 | Uncategorized
It’s billed as Thrilling Thursday and today duly lived up to the name here at the at the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials. The sun shone bright, but a keen northerly wind kept the temperatures down to provide perfect conditions for horses and spectators alike.
NAF Five Star BE80 Championships
After two days in between the white boards, we crowned our new NAF Five Star BE80 champions after a day of change on the leaderboard that saw well-judged rounds rewarded.
A faultless day of jumping for Leicestershire-based rider Rachel Littlewood and her bay mare Fiancee promoted them one step up to the top of the podium and the 2024 championship accolade, adding nothing to their dressage score of 29.9. An emotional Rachel punched the air as she crossed the finish line of Ian Stark’s cross-country course, before giving her steed a big kiss after realising they’d taken the lead.
The original plan for ‘Lottie’ this year was to qualify for the Badminton Grassroots Championships, but a slight injury meant Bramham became the focus in order to give the duo the best chance to get back to full fitness. However, coming to Yorkshire with no expectations of doing well made today’s win even more special.
“It’s been absolutely fantastic, but incredibly nail-biting!” said Rachel after the prize-giving in the Defender Main Arena. “Dressage isn’t our strong point, so when we were second on day one I was overwhelmed with that! I was a little nervous going into today – the showjumps were a little on the small side for us and she’s prone to leaving a leg, but she was absolutely amazing! We had a few hairy moments cross-country, but she was still full of running at the end – I think she could have done it again! To do the lap of honour here has been something out of this world – I was in tears!”
Second place went to 18-year-old Beth Jones riding Fantasy Chilli, who added nothing to their dressage penalty score of 32.3. It was Deborah Burrell and her own Imperial Tangle who completed the top three on a score of 32.6.
Defender CCI4*-L
Reigning European champion Ros Canter heads the leaderboard in the showcase Defender CCI4*-L section, with Lady Milnes Coates and Deirdre Johnston’s MHS Seventeen achieving the only sub-30 score of the day. The athletic bay, known as Vinnie, was previously piloted by Sara Bowe and Nicola Wilson, but Ros has partnered him for two years. After a slow start to their relationship due to inclement weather and a unsuccessful four-star debut here last year, they’re beginning to forge a true partnership.
A delighted Ros said; “I’m delighted with MHS Seventeen today. He did a personal best at Bicton and has come out and performed to that quality again. He’s a lovely horse who’s growing in confidence all of the time.”
In second, it’s last year’s CCI4*-S victors, Selina Miles and the Rucker’s Cooley Snapchat. They were ever-consistent to impress the judges, who all landed on a 67% plus score to give the pair 32.2 penalties. The top three is completed by Olympic-nominated rider Tom Jackson with Plot Twist B, owned by Mary Harris and Ruth McMullen, on 33.5.
Defender CCI4*-S
There’s a truly international feel to the top placings in the 83 runner-strong Defender CCI4*-S, with Japan leading and a pair of Irish flags to follow.
Bramham is being used as a key selection trial for the Japanese team ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games – today marks 50 days until the Opening Ceremony – and there are a selection of leading combinations here to fight for their place. New pairing Ryuzo Kitajima from Japan and Be My Daisy, owned by Riding Club Crane, put in a late challenge to take the lead with a stunning display that featured a number of nines from the judges and a score of 24.7. They dislodged Ireland’s Josephy Murphy, riding his own Calmaro, who stole the lead before lunch with a 27.3. Countryman Austin O’Connor is half a penalty behind on 27.8 with Lesley Rose’s Isazsa.
An elated Ryuzo commented: “I’m so pleased, so happy! I’ve just started riding her this year and I still have to know more about her. I was relaxed and she was relaxed, so it was good. To build our partnership, I started early this year and took her to Portugal so we could get qualified for Paris. She’s a mare, which can be good or bad, but today she was a princess!”
Bramham U25 CCI4*-L
The small but quality field in the Under-25 CCI4*-L got their campaign underway and it’s Britain’s Isabel White who paves the way riding her own Icarus. Their solid performance yielded a penalty score of 36.3 from the Ground Jury of Nick Burton, Angela Tucker and Xavier Le Sauce, who’s officiating at Paris this summer. Second spot is taken by Emma Thomas and The Buzz Factor for owners Pippa Williams and Rebecca Velarde, while Cassie Sanger from the USA sits third with her own Redfield Fyre on 42.4.
Join us tomorrow for Fantastic Friday, when the CCI4* dressage reaches its conclusion and we discover who holds the cards ahead of the decisive jumping phases.
Results and start times on via www.bit.ly/DefenderBIHT2024timesandresults and full details, including info downloading on the Bramham app, from www.bramham-horse.co.uk
Keep up to date with us on social media – we’re on, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook so you won’t miss any of the news, updates and event info.
