If there had been any doubt previously that Phillip Dutton is a superhero today was proof that he indeed some kind of superman! Eight clear rounds cross country from eight rides, including a commanding lead in the CIC***. Phillip remarked at the press conference that riding so many in a way gives him a bit of an advantage, but he has to be careful not to get complacent when they’re all going so well. The top four riders at the press conference this afternoon all commented on what a unique course Red Hills is, how it mirrors what they’ll see in Greenwich terrain wise and crowd wise, and what a great job all the organisers, volunteers, community and of course Designer Hugh Lochore, and builder Tyson Rementer have done.
Michael Pollard, chasing Phillip’s cape tails, rode two beautiful clear rounds on Hanni and then Icarus, and jolly nearly made it a treble until Wonderful Will slipped right near the very end of the course unseating him. Luckily neither of them are worse for wear, and Michael told us he was thrilled with all three.
Karen O’Connor and the lovely little mare Veronica. I spoke briefly to Karen after her ride and she told me Veronica is getting smoother and faster all the time.
Diana Burnett and Shigatzi jump into the second water
Marilyn Little-Meredith and Rovano Rex jump into the second water, modelled on the one that riders will see at Greenwich later this summer. Marilyn had a bit of a sticky moment coming out over the C element, and had to sit tight. She explained that as a former show-jumper (FORMER, my words, I do consider her an eventer now, I think she’s earned her stripes!) terrain and water is still a bit foreign to her and difficult to judge, and here she had both to deal with. Marilyn rode for three strides coming out, should have tried for four, and ended somewhere in the middle. As usual, she was very frank about it, and also very complimentary about her horses, her team, the course and her competitors.
Sara Kozumplik said Manolo Blahnik was pretty strong today so she was a bit slower than she wanted to be but she was still very happy with him, and the plan is to head for Rolex later in the spring.
I still love this little horse, Llewellyn and Brittany Kart
The fantastic HJ Hampton, aka Run Henny Run, the helmet cam is up, and I hope to have my chat with rider Peter Atkins up soon too. Henny cruised round as if he was out for a canter in the park, just pricked his ears and jumped whatever Peter pointed him at, and then we found out he was the fastest horse of the day, the only combination to make the time, very very impressive.
Mystery Whisper – he certainly ticked all the boxes today. It’s beginning to look more and more like Phillip will be driving home in a Mercedes tomorrow.
Great to see Icarus flying around back on form
Rachel Jurgens and Ziggy who unfortunately had a glance off at the corner right after this
Dr Kevin Keane and Fernhill Flutter completed their first 3* very nicely
Mr Medicott and Karen O’Connor. Karen said she’s learning more about him each time she rides him, and they looked to be pretty tight today out on the cross country
Phillip Dutton and Ben
Kadi Eykamp and the amazing bunny-like Double Rivers Dillon – hop hop!
Selena O’Hanlon on A First Romance
Katie Ruppel and the consistent Sir Donovan.
It’s getting dark and there aren’t any lights in the media tent so the advanced pictures and my videos with Peter, Sara and Joe are going to have to wait, but I’ll get to them as soon as possible. All the live scores from Red Hills are here, have a safe night and go eventing!
