 WORLD Number One event rider, Oliver Townend heads a stellar cast of the country’s very best competitors set to take part in the Cazenove Capital Eventing Grand Prix held at the Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show.
With Captain Mark Phillips confirmed to build at what is now a three-leg Eventing Grand Prix series, the competition looks set to be of the highest calibre. As part of a new innovation, the top five placed riders in the class will qualify to compete in the Final Leg at the Theraplate UK Liverpool International Horse Show in December. A second qualifying leg will run at the Bolesworth Young Horse Championship Show, August 14 to 18. Taking place during the evening performance on Thursday, June 13, this exciting feature class will be a fast and furious competition and will see 20 leading event riders tackle a course of show jumps and feature cross-country fences, against the clock in the International Arena. With a £2,000 first prize major names fighting it out for the leader board include Christopher Burton, Gemma Tattersall, Alex Hua Tian, Ben Hobday and Jeanette Brakewell to name just a few! The competition is a must see whether watching from ringside or up close to the action in the unique setting provided by the very special Hospitality Marquee – a real experience to enjoy with friends and family. Said Show Promoter, Nina Barbour: “The Cazenove Capital Eventing Grand Prix really is a fantastic competition to watch and we are delighted to have some of the world’s best event riders signed up to compete. “This year’s course will stay in the International Arena and provides a fantastic opportunity for spectators to get close to the action and see so many talented riders tackle Mark Phillips’ course.” The competition will see show jumps standing at a maximum of 1.25m, with three seconds added for each fence knocked down. There will also be an optional joker fence at a maximum height of 1.35m providing greater thrill and excitement throughout the competition. The cross-country fences will be at British Eventing Intermediate level. Visit www.bolesworthinternational.com to book tickets for this year’s show. ENDS For further information please contact Tim Smith at TSM on (01724) 784600.
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 Four Star, including FEI Eventing Nations Cup
Germany did it again, claiming the first leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup for the fifth year in succession. Christoph Wahler, Jerome Robine, Ingrid Klimke and Felix Etzel posted a team score of 90.6, with Felix the discard score. Chef d'Equipe of the German team, Hans Meltzer, commented: “We always enjoy coming to Houghton. Alec Lochore builds good courses which are very different to the ones we have at home. Here the riders can gallop much more and I think they all learn from it.” Sweden held on to second place with a score of 91.2, while Great Britain moved up to third on 99.2. Philip Surl, British Chef d'Equipe, declared himself, “chuffed. We had three first timers in our team; admittedly reasonably experienced riders, but never having been selected for the Nations Cup before. For all the team to jump double clear is a great result, I couldn't be happier. I'm also delighted that the class fielded nine teams – that's a good start to the series this year.” British pathfinder and Derby University student, Richard Coney, admitted, “It was nice to be chosen, there are plenty of riders who would like to be selected. Kananaskis is pretty consistent so I knew he had it in him to put in a good performance, but you never know if it is all going to come together on the day.” France moved up the rankings to fourth and the Netherlands to fifth, but Belgium dropped down the order to sixth, from third overnight. The individual winner of the four-star was established before midday when the overnight leader, German team rider Christoph Wahler came home clear and inside the time from the cross country course. Carjatan S, a 10-year-old grey gelding, has been well placed this season and was foot perfect here. “I liked the cross country course – the combinations were good and the ground rode well. It's not my first trip to Houghton, and I always enjoy it.” Sweden's Louise Romeike and Waikiki 207 climbed from eighth after dressage to take the runner up spot ahead of Newcastle University student Rosa Onslow. “This is my best result ever,” said Rosa. “I missed an exam to be here, but it was worth it – I'll just have to do well in next week's exams to make up for it.” Three Star Holly Woodhead claimed the three-star class riding Scuderia 1918 Future. “I couldn't have asked for anything more. After a difficult year last year, I'm a bit overwhelmed. My horse really pulled it out of the bag.” Dressage score completions by both Gideon and Mosstown Prince gave Harry Meade second and third places in what was a very close scoring section. Three Star Young Rider British Eventing National Championship In a repeat of 12 months ago, Bubby Upton's hopes of taking the Young Rider title were dashed in the closing seconds when a miscommunication between horse and rider resulted in something of a crash through a fence for four penalties. This moved Phoebe Locke and Union Fortunus to the top of the table, with Bubby having to settle for second and third places on Cola III and overnight leader Eros DHI respectively. “I never thought that Bubby would have a pole down,” said Phoebe, through a mass of tears. “I didn't ever imagine I might win – I always finish second. My horse tries so hard for me, I absolutely can't believe it.” Heidi Coy finished fourth, fifth and sixth. Two Star Norfolk-born Piggy French led from pillar to post in the two-star, on board Lancer Stud's First Lancer. “This is such a reward for the owners' patience, bringing 'Tokyo' back from serious injury,” said Piggy. “He's a totally genuine horse. It doesn't matter if the fences are big, small or spooky, he just wants to jump them. To win here with Emma Craggs, his owner, watching... she's been poorly recently and he spent over two years in rehab being cared for by the family – hopefully they will remain healthy together.” “That made me cry,” an emotional Emma Craggs admitted. “Tokyo won last weekend at Rockingham and I thought hoping for two wins was plain greedy. Just to be here is so exciting – Tokyo had never done a three-day event before, and we didn't know how he'd be after the cross country; would he be sound, how would he showjump today [in one-day events, horses showjump before they go cross country]? I can't quite believe it.” Belgium's Stephanie D'Andrimont and Casperelli retained the runner up spot they held throughout the competition, but an expensive rail down for Willa Newton dropped Cock A Doodle Doo seven places to 10th. Kitty King and MHS Fernhill Finale were the beneficiaries of this, completing the top three. For full results, click HERE  Four Star, including FEI Nations Cup
Germany remains at the top of the leaderboard after the showjumping phase, but the gap has narrowed. At the conclusion of the dressage this morning German team members Ingrid Klimke, Christoph Wahler and Felix Etzel lay in first, second and fourth places. However, two rails down by Ingrid's ride Asha P and one for Felix's Bandit 436 has resulted in Ingrid having become the discount score at this stage. Jerome Robine's score now counts – he sits in 14th place, with Ingrid in 19th. All four of the Swedish team showjumped clear, piling the pressure on Germany ahead of tomorrow's cross country. Meanwhile Belgium has moved up to third and Great Britain to fourth, courtesy of all the British team, Piggy French, Bubby Upton, Richard Coney and Eliza Stoddart, keeping the coloured poles in their cups. Switzerland had an expensive jumping phase and dropped from third to sixth. The team rankings at close of play today are:
The cross country is due to start at 10am BST, and will be livestreamed here: https://www.musketeer.co.uk/livestream/https://www.musketeer.co.uk/livestream/ Three Star Whilst the leader of the remaining two Three Day Event classes is unchanged tonight, Holly Woodhead is now leader of the three-star after Piggy French and Calling Card suffered a parting of the ways on course, although Heidi doesn't have a fence in hand over new runner up Harry Meade riding Gideon. Kylie Roddy lies in third place with both Holly and Harry hard on her heels on other rides. Less than one penalty separates second to fifth places so there is all to play for tomorrow. Three Star Young Rider British National Championship There has been little change on the Young Rider leaderboard. Bubby Upton retains first and third places, her rides separated by Phoebe Locke. Heidi Coy has climbed the rankings a little on three of her rides; Russal Z, Halenza and Royal Fury occupy fourth, fifth and seventh places. Two Star Piggy French retained the lead after cross country courtesy of a clear round inside the time on Lancer Stud's First Lancer. In fact the top three remain unchanged, Germany's Stephanie D'Andrimont riding Casperelli sitting 1.4 penalties behind Piggy, and Willa Newton on Cock A Doodle Doo just 0.2 of a point behind Stephanie. The only casualty from yesterday's top six was Zara Phillips who retired fourth placed Gladstone on course not long after a running out at the Saracen Horse Feeds Hedge (fence 5b). Live scoring is available at http://srsresults.co.uk.  The tempo picked up at Saracen Horse Feeds Houghton International today with showjumpers, both affiliated and unaffiliated, occupying the three arenas for the duration. Showjumping will continue for the rest of the weekend, while on Sunday it will also be the turn of those contesting the unaffiliated and team dressage classes.
Another 156 event horses, at two-, three- and four-star level, performed their dressage test under clear blue skies. Due to huge entries this year, another 22 four-star combinations still have their tests to do tomorrow, starting at 8.30am, before all showjump. The four-star horses run across country on Sunday. Four Star, including FEI Nations Cup Germany has increased her lead in the FEI Eventing Nations Cup, following the test of new overnight leader, reigning European Champion Ingrid Klimke. Ingrid rode Asha P to a score of 23.2, 1.6 points ahead of her team mate, yesterday's leader, Christoph Wahler. Team standings are as follows, ahead of tomorrow's final riders:
In the individual rankings New Zealander Jesse Campbell has moved in to third place with Diachello II on a score of 28.0, dropping Swiss rider Robin Godel down a place to 4th. Best of the British riders is still Tom McEwen, 6th on No Excuse. Three Star Norfolk-born Piggy French leads the three-star by the narrowest of margins – the same as her winning margin at Badminton earlier this month. Calling Card posted a score of 26.3, dropping last night's leader Holly Woodhead down a place; Scuderia 1918 Future lies on a score of 26.4. The first three-star competitor, Harry Meade riding Mosstown Prince, sets out across country at 15.27 tomorrow. Three Star Young Rider British National Championship The Saracen Horse Feeds sponsored British Eventing National Championship got underway today, and it was the final horse before the judges who took the lead. Bubby Upton from Suffolk swept to the top of the table riding Eros DHI, who scored 28.6. Bubby also lies in 3rd place on last year's Houghton runner up Cola III, her rides separated by long time leader Phoebe Lock on Union Fortunus. The Young Riders go cross country from 1345. Two Star The top of the two-star leaderboard remains unchanged at the end of the dressage phase. Piggy French and First Lancer have held their advantage, ahead of Willa Newton and Zara Tindall. It is two-star competitors who will get tomorrow's cross country action started. Jerome Robine and Brave Heart 10 for Germany will be counted down in the start box at 9am.  The organisers of Land Rover Blair Castle International Horse Trials are delighted to welcome Land Rover back as title sponsor for this, our 30th anniversary event with international status.
The 2019 horse trials takes place from 22nd to 25th August and will feature four international eventing classes alongside the Scottish Grassroots Eventing Festival, which made its debut at Blair last summer to much acclaim. This means that five significant titles are up for grabs; Scottish 90cm and 100cm Champions who will contest the Grassroots Eventing Festival, plus the Scottish Novice, Intermediate and Open Champions will all be crowned over the weekend. The Scottish Open Champion will be the winner of the four-star short format class, where competitors switch the jumping phases around, tackling the cross country course after the show jumping phase. The Scottish Intermediate Champion will top the leaderboard in the three-star international class, and the Scottish Novice Champion will claim the two-star international class. “It is a huge privilege to host all Scottish Championship classes across the board,” said Assistant Director, Nicky Townshend. “The addition of the Scottish Grassroots Eventing Festival offers up and coming riders the opportunity to compete alongside many of the biggest names in the sport, and enjoy a truly international stage. “To have the continued backing of Land Rover as our title sponsor is invaluable, and this year we have the additional pleasure of supporting Riding for the Disabled Scotland as our official charity partner. One hundred days might seem a long time, but with plenty of work to do, the event will be upon us in a flash.”  Four Star, including FEI Nations Cup
At the end of the first day of dressage at Saracen Horse Feeds Houghton International Horse Trials, Christoph Wahler, riding for the German Nations Cup team, leads the field ahead of Swiss team member Robin Godel. Christoph rode Carjatan S to a score of 24.8, almost four penalties clear of the field. Tucked in close behind Robin is British individual rider Tom McEwen partnering No Excuse, on whom he has the ride while Ros Canter is expecting a baby. Less than a penalty separates the next six riders. The Netherlands have only fielded a team of three, so complete today on a single score of 33.7. Of the teams with two scores posted, Germany lead on 55.0, with Sweden on 59.0, Switzerland on 60.5, Belgium on 66.6, Great Britain on 67.5, France on 68.8, Spain on 77.9 and Italy bringing up the rear on 81.7. Three Star The Three Star also has a clear leader at the end of day one, Holly Woodhead riding Scuderia 1918 Future. Holly moved ahead of long term leaders Selina Milnes on Vivendi Time with Harry Meade and Gideon in hot pursuit. Holly also sits in fifth place and Harry in seventh on Vivian 47 and Mosstown Prince respectively. Two Star The seemingly unstoppable Piggy French leads the dressage phase this evening, riding Lancer Stud's First Lancer. This horse has come back from a serious injury sustained in the field, and after much care and convalescence administered by the Craggs family, was a winner with Piggy at Rockingham Horse Trials last weekend. Willa Newton on Cock A Doodle Doo and Zara Tindall with Gladstone are close behind in second and third places. Dressage restarts at 9am tomorrow morning, with gates opening at 8am. All phases of the CCI4*-S will be live-streamed, via the Musketeer website. Live scoring is also available at http://srsresults.co.uk. Photo credit: Jonna Britse rides Quattrino during the dressage for the CCI-SO4*, by Libby Law Photography. For more information on any aspect of this year's FEI Saracen Horse Feeds Houghton International Horse Trials, visit http://www.musketeer.co.uk.  Not all international horse trials can boast extraordinary works of sculpture by notable artists, viewable from the cross country course. Whilst last year's visitors to Saracen Horse Feeds Houghton International were treated to a backdrop of huge, colourful sculptures by Damien Hirst, this year's spectators can enjoy the work of Henry Moore – the first significant show of the artist's work in East Anglia.
The 2019 Saracen Horse Feeds Houghton International runs from 23rd - 26th May, and again hosts the only British leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup. Ten teams are due to contest this first leg of the series which concludes at Boekelo (Netherlands) in October. The highest placed, non-qualified, nation in the rankings after Boekelo will earn a team place for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. In recent years, Germany has been the dominant force at Houghton; the German team has won the Nations Cup class for the last four years. Great Britain last topped the tables here in 2013, and the British team will be out to regain the advantage. Fifteen nations will be represented in the eventing classes, from Spain and Sweden to Brazil, Canada and Australia, with cross country and showjumping taking place on both Saturday and Sunday. Additional equestrian classes also run throughout the event, with 'have a go' dog agility hosted by our 2019 charity Riding For The Disabled, children's entertainment and over 70 tradestands, food outlets and a licenced bar also on site. Saracen Horse Feeds Houghton International is the only time the public can camp in the park, providing a perfect base for an action packed weekend. Full details are available on the event website. Entrance to the complete Henry Moore exhibition is not included in Horse Trials admission. Tickets for the Horse Trials can be bought in advance via the event website, and on the Gate, which opens at 8.30am every day. For more information on any aspect of this year's FEI Saracen Horse Feeds Houghton International Horse Trials, visit https://www.musketeer.co.uk To buy tickets for the Henry Moore exhibition, please visit https://www.houghtonhall.com  A field of 30 horses and riders becomes a tightly-knit group of 24 as Di Boddy's enormously influential showjumping course dropped key contenders out of the hunt. With its tight distances, up-to-height treble combination, and jump-off style rollback turns, the first of the jumping phases saw just seven clear rounds. These elusive clears proved valuable: they allowed outside chances such as Emily Philp and Fallulah, Bubby Upton and Fernhill Rockstar, and Lucy Jackson and Superstition to make bold strides into the top ten. But for those who failed to hit the mark, the losses were as significant as those gains. Sarah Cohen and Treasondropped from fifth to 20th position after lowering three rails, while two rails pushed Alex Bragg and Zagreb from ninth to 13th. But Laura Collett's position on the leaderboard wasn't to budge: she and London 52, the 10-year-old former showjumper who won Blenheim in just his third season of eventing, delivered the seventh and final clear round over the poles to hold their lead going into cross-country.  How did it play out?
Chatsworth's CCI4*-S track is always a test of speed and stamina. With its long pulls over hill and dale and its relentless series of technical questions, it's no surprise that the course sees so few double-clears. Only six people have made the time here over the last decade, while the average time faults collected sits between 11.7 and a whopping 22. No one would make the time in today's test, although those who came closest were amply rewarded. Tom McEwen and Figaro van het Broekxhof, fresh off the back of their decisive win in Belton's Grantham Cup CCI4*-S, came home with just 4.4 time penalties, rocketing them from eighth place to a final second. They shared the honour of being the fastest round of the day with Emily Philp and her talented up-and-comer Fallulah, who climbed thirteen places to finish fifth. A clear round over the poles and a typically quick cross-country round, adding just 6.8 time penalties, allowed Ireland's Cathal Daniels and his fiery World Games mount Rioghan Rua to bounce back after a disappointing first-phase performance yesterday. They recorded the biggest climb of the competition, moving from 28th to sixth. Time was far from the only influential factor on course. A smattering of problems led to stratospheric shifts across the leaderboard, as Pippa Funnell, Bubby Upton, and Yasmin Ingham each took tumbles on course. Fan favourites Alex Bragg and Zagreb ended their day late on course at the Event Rider Masters' Stags' Heads at 14ABC, while Germany's Christoph Wahler took a dramatic tumble in the Dodson & Horrell 80th Anniversary Splash with Carjatan S. Australia's Bill Levett is no stranger to ERM legs, and today was certainly looking like his day - he and Shannondale Titan slipped from third to sixth after showjumping, but a strong start to his cross-country round saw him set to climb. 15 penalties for missing a flag and 13.6 time penalties saw him tumble down to a final 16th place, though, just two spots ahead of Ireland's Sam Watson, who started cross-country in second place. An otherwise foot-perfect round was scuppered by a late run-out and a subsequent 17.6 time penalties, and he and the striking dun Tullabeg Flamenco finished 18th. None of the problems across the board affected leader Laura Collett. She and London 52 left the start box on a mission, and with an incredible 29 seconds in hand, it was their game to play. They wouldn't, ultimately, need the entirety of the comfortable buffer they'd given themselves; instead, they sailed through the finish line having added just 7.6 time penalties. "That horse is unbelievable," says a delighted Laura, who takes her first ERM win - and £16,000 - here. "He's finished second so many times, and he only started at CCI4*-S last year. I just can't believe it! I'm the luckiest girl in the world to sit on London 52. Three years ago, he'd never seen a cross-country fence - he's come a hell of a long way, so roll on the future!" Tom McEwen's Grantham Cup winner Figaro van het Broekxhof is steadily establishing himself as a superstar in Tom's enviable string, and today he showed why with his joint-fastest cross-country round. Such was the influence of his speed that he finished second, climbing from seventh place despite an unfortunate pole. "It's brilliant!" says Tom, standing atop his first ERM podium since the series' launch in 2016. "I'm lost for words. I'm delighted for the horse, and delighted for the owners. It's just been a great weekend - and lovely to finish off in the sunshine! It's a real busy track, and there's a lot coming up very quickly on the hills, so you've got a lot to take into consideration out there. It's about riding with your brain, rather than too much bravery." The woman responsible for keeping London 52 fit while Laura contested last week's Badminton Horse Trials also got to enjoy her own moment of glory. "This is my first podium ever in an international," laughs New Zealand's Lucy Jackson, who produced one of the all-important clear showjumping rounds and added just 8.4 time penalties across the country to finish third with Superstition. "I'm super, super, super chuffed with him. Unfortunately, I probably had too much control; if I'd gone that little bit quicker we could have been higher! But he's green, he's extravagant, and he's pretty arrogant at times, so there were times when I needed to give him a second longer to assess the fences. It was busy out there." Germany's Julia Krajewski, a real threat for the series podium this season, finished just out of the top three after adding 9.6 time penalties and a single rail with the inexperienced mare Amande de b'Neville. Each of the top fifteen riders in today's competition adds crucial series points to the leaderboard, giving them the chance to fight for end-of-season honours and a £30,000 prize.  Who leads the charge? Who sets the pace? And who has the power to change everything? This weekend, we're heading to the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials, where Leg One of the 2019 Event Rider Masters series begins with a bang. Thirty horses and riders have made it through The Cut - now, it's time to find out who has to face the judges first. Join us for the Chatsworth Draw How does it work?Horse and rider combinations are seeded into three groups based on prior performance - there's the A team, which features the world-beaters, the household names, and the medal-winners. Then there's the B team, a formidable group of up-and-comers who are proving themselves on the world stage, with impressive results. Finally, there's the C team - and they're hungry for the top spots. Once they're through the initial seeding process, our competitors numbers are randomly drawn by ERM presenter Nicole Brown. The draw determines the order in which they'll enter the ring - will they have the tough task of trying to impress the judges early on? Will they go straight after an Event Rider Masters champion? Or will they close out the day's competitions, leaving an impression on the scoreboard and the spectators, for better or for worse? #ERMtheDraw
Leg One of the 2019 Event Rider Masters series will begin on Saturday, the 11th of May, at the Dodson and Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials. The competition will begin with Saturday's dressage phase, which will be broadcast from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. BST. The first horse and rider combination to head down the centreline will be Sweden's Malin Josefsson riding Agaton V. The morning's session will feature hot competition from Australia's Chris Burton, the French phenomenon Astier Nicolas, and Irish silver medalist Sam Watson. British gold medalist Tom McEwen will be the afternoon's first competitor, riding his Belton Grantham Cup winner Figaro van het Broekxhof. He'll have to fend off hot competition from last week's Badminton winner Piggy French, and the runner-up, Oliver Townend - but both riders will come forward on inexperienced horses. The day's final session is red-hot and jam-packed with potential leaders. Laura Collett and London 52 have been on the form of their lives this spring, and can never be discounted in the dressage arena, while fellow Brit Gemma Tattersall brings forward a big gun in the form of her Rio Olympics mount, Quicklook V. Germany's Julia Krajewski has earned herself a reputation for being unbeatable in the first phase, but can she continue her lucky streak with Amande de b'Neville? Or will we see Pippa Funnell's dressage superstar MGH Grafton Street deliver a personal best and leave the competition in the dust? For a full list of starting times, click here  DHL appointed new official logistics provider for Event Rider Masters 2019
DHL Trade Fairs & Events responsible for logistics and transport services at six ERM events in Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland and UK DHL Trade Fairs & Events, the specialists for fair and event logistics and part of DHL Freight, will be coordinating the transport and storage of equipment, venue logistics, and on-site support for this year’s Event Rider Masters, the world’s leading Eventing series. Founded in 2016, ERM is a condensed two-day version of the traditional Olympic class Three Day event, featuring the traditional three disciplines of Dressage, Showjumping and Cross Country. The series will stage six events across the UK, France, Germany, Belgium and Ireland, and will offer the world's top riders a prize fund of £350,000. Stephan Engisch, Head of Trade Fairs & Events said: “We are happy to partner with ERM to make the series become reality. Speed, agility and striving for excellence are shared values between both our organizations. Our event project team is already looking forward to winning the logistics race after all riders have crossed the finish line.” ERM CEO Jim O’Toole commented: “We are delighted to welcome a company of DHL’s global stature to the ERM commercial partners group. They bring experience and status to a key area of our business as we grow our business across five European markets. We look forward to working with them on the logistics of delivering a world-class series featuring the very best riders and horses.” |
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