Denmark's Hanne Wind Ramsgard won our hearts yesterday when her joy at completing the Blair Castle European Championship cross country course was so obvious, punching the air, and shouting for joy. Then she came into the mixed zone and told FEI TV that the VIkings had been coming over to England in the storms and awful weather for centuries! Today we loved her again for her love for her horse, Vestervangs Arami, and her love for the game. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Forty-four horses presented at the Final Horse Inspection this morning at Blair Castle after Team GBR combinations Wills Oakden and Greystone Midnight Melody withdrew beforehand.
Izzy Taylor and Guy Avis’ KBIS Briarlands Matilda lie 3rd going into show-jumping Blair Castle European Championships. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Three horses were sent to the holding box – Oliver Townend’s Fenya’s Elegance who was then accepted on re-inspection, the Russian combination Boris Vasilev and Nabludatel, and the Spanish pair Albert Hermoso Farras and Mirla CP 27 59 who both subsequently withdrew.
Kitty King and Persimmon impress on their Team GBR senior debut, lying 5th individually going into show-jumping at Blair Castle European Championships and team silver position after cross country. They were pathfinders for the team and jumped a solid clear cross country. Photo by Samantha Clark.
The remaining Team GBR horses all looked fabulous and passed to loud applause. Izzy Taylor’s KBIS Briarlands Matilda was a cool customer while Gemma Tattersall’s Arctic Soul and Sarah Bullimore’s Lilly Corrinne were both still very fresh.
A very fresh Lilly Corinne with Sarah Bullimore Sunday Morning at Blair Castle European Championships. Photo by Samantha Clark.
The German team looked like they were just starting the event, and once again FischerTakinou was trotted up by groom Julia Harsch.
Laura Collett and Grand Manoeuvre lying in 9th place going forward to show-jumping European Championships Blair Castle after a super round cross country. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Props to the girls who wore short skirts on this chilly Scottish morning, and to the men who wore kilts.
Italian individuals Emiliano Portale and Rubens delle Sementarecce jumped one of the most stylish clear rounds cross country Saturday at Blair Castle European Championships despite a lengthy hold on course. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Show-jumping begins at 11:30 for the first session and then the final group at 2:05. We’ll be back later with much more from Blair Castle hopefully.
Camilla Speirs and Portersize Just A Jiff getting ready to complete their NINTH championship together. Photo by Samantha Clark.
In the meantime, Go the European Championships and Go Eventing!
Sam Watson and Horseware Lukeswell for Ireland. Photo by Samantha Clark.
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