Francis Whittington and Easy Target Score the Victory in Blenheim CCI3*

Francis Whittington and Easy Target. Photo courtesy of Samantha Clark. Francis Whittington and Easy Target. Photo courtesy of Samantha Clark.

Francis Whittington and Easy Target came into the show jumping ring today in second position after stalking the leader throughout the weekend. The pair scored a 37.2 in the dressage and incurred 1.6 time on cross country to sit on a 38.8 and second place today. Francis and Easy Target jumped a double clear round – a relatively infrequent feat today – to put the pressure on overnight leaders William Fox-Pitt and Freddie Mac.

William Fox-Pitt and Freddie Mac. Photo courtesy of Samantha Clark for PRO.

William Fox-Pitt and Freddie Mac. Photo courtesy of Samantha Clark for PRO.

William and Freddie Mac, who historically doesn’t have too much trouble but can drop a rail here and there, knocked one rail in the last combination to seal the deal for Francis to take home his first CCI3* win.

Easy Target was coming off of a second place finish in the CIC3* at Gatcombe Park last month, where he also jumped clear in the show jumping. This horse has pulled a few rails in his time this year, but the pair pulled it off today, surely to Francis’ delight. #WheresWhittington? Winning Blenheim. No big deal.

Sad Whittington:

And a very happy Whittington!

Show jumping definitely shuffled the leaderboard today, with the top five changing hands and three horses from the top 15 moving up to finish in the top 10. Jodie Amos and Wise Crack picked up third place with one rail down, moving up one spot from fourth.

Pippa Funnell jumped one of the 14 double clear rounds aboard Second Supreme to secure fourth after lying eighth overnight, and Francis Whittington also rounds out the top five with his second ride, Fernhill Highlight, who improves on a 41st place finish last year at this event.

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn. Photo courtesy of Samantha Clark for PRO.

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn. Photo courtesy of Samantha Clark for PRO.

Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Cubalawn had 12 penalties today, unfortunately dropping them down to 17th place. Phillip remains the highest placed American rider with Fernhill Cubalawn, with Fernhill Fugitive and Katherine Coleman’s Courage Under Fire in 36th and 41st, respectively.

That’s a wrap on an exciting weekend at Blenheim! Thanks to PRO and Samantha Clark for keeping us up to date on the happenings, and as always thank you for following along!

Go Blenheim!

Blenheim Links: [Website] [Scores] [PRO] [PRO on Facebook] [PRO on Twitter] [Samantha Clark] [Blenheim Twitter]

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