For Bramham coverage throughout the weekend tune into SamanthaLClark.com and Eventing Nation. [Bramham Results]
Perennial favourite Lenamore kept a lid on his enthusiasm, just, (one big buck after the first canter lead change just before the circle) until after he left the arena and scored 45.3 to lie in equal 17th place after the dressage. The good news is that the weather has improved dramatically here at Bramham, and a combination of very scattered sprinkles, some sparse sunshine and lots of wind this afternoon have worked wonders on the footing. At this rate it will probably be fairly holding, especially by Sunday so time will be all-important, and with 97 horses going forward to show-jump on Saturday this is far from being a dressage competition. That being said, William Fox-Pitt has taken the top two spots in the CCI*** with Chilli Morning and Avoca Alibi respectively, and lurks just over a point behind Rayef and Laura Collett in 2nd place in the CIC***. I spoke to him before the CIC*** trot-up, which somewhat strangely took place after the dressage had concluded, pictures to follow soon.
“It’s been a good start in the dressage; they’ve all done very good tests, I’m very pleased with all of them, they’re good horses and they’ve gone as they should. Lionheart found the mud quite hard work; rather than relaxing and just accepting it, I felt like he rather fought it which is a shame because he went a little bit tight, he didn’t feel buzzy, just a little bit tight. He did some good work and he’s on 45 which isn’t a bad score. There’s a long way to go – if it was a dressage competition we could go home now very happily!”
and William also discussed the course and the effect the recent weather will have on how he intends to ride it,
“At Bramham the course is very demanding anyway on a good year with good ground, and this year the ground is going to be soft and I think it will be very tiring, you’ll certainly have to save your horse early on and feel how he’s coping. The last two minutes, or at least from the last water is straight uphill; it’s going to be demanding anyway and this will certainly add to it and make it a true test.”
William talked about Macchiato and his retirement, as well as riding stallions and a lot more, and we’ll have all that in next week’s episode of the Eventing Radio Show, which I’m excited to announce that I’ll be co-hosting with the one and only John Kyle, commentator, foodie and no longer to be a man of mystery! EN John has also agreed to do a wrap-up of Bromont for us, so I’m looking forward to that already, but do please listen to Jess Montgomery and Samantha St Jacques on this week’s show while you wait.
As expected Andrew Nicholson had a good day in the office and finishes two in the top ten of the CIC*** – Avebury lies 3rd and Nereo 7th, while TriStar is 15th in the CCI***.
Clea Phillipps and the Lead The Way, the one horse she made her husband promise not to sell, are in 5th place after the dressage in the CCI***, and as a keen fox-hunter and Grade A show-jumper, I’d lay bets on them not dropping too far down the order in the next couple of phases.
Happy Go Lucky with Rodney Powell was very impressive despite a few green mistakes and lies about half way down the CIC*** order.
Lucy Jackson and her Rolex Kentucky ride Kilcoltrim Ambassador lie 39th in the CIC, but Lucy is also in 5th place with Animator II, and third place in the CCI*** with Willy Do.
Pippa Funnell rode every mark out of Or Noir De La Loge for a 45 and overnight 16th place.
Some of the horses coped with the footing much better than others; Gustavo Pagoto’s Ojo de Agua hated it and you had to feel sorry for both of them as he jogged sideways through a lot of the movements. He lies 96th on 71.1. All the scores are available here. The CCI*** cross country starts at 10am and the CIC*** show-jump on Saturday afternoon, it’s going to be a busy day at Eventing Nation. CIC*** trot up pictures to come shortly. I did take some video but have suffered through all sorts of hell trying to upload it and have given up. Thanks for making us part of your day as always, and Go Eventing!
