Andrew Nicholson on Calico Joe
Andrew Nicholson was unbeatable today, claiming both Advanced sections at Gatcombe as his own, taking advantage of a good dressage and clear show-jumping to hold on to his lead in Section 2 on Quimbo. Following about ten withdrawals in each division, including the dressage leader Lucinda Fredericks and Prada in Section 1, he takes that trophy home with him too. Andrew also finished 6th in Section 2 on Shady Grey.
William Fox-Pitt was hot on Quimbo’s heels, filling 2nd, 3rd and 4th places on Macchiato, Gaucho and Neuf des Coeurs respectively. Rodney Powell managed to get a look in for 5th place. Both of them were up by the new combination at jump 6abc as the cross country started to see how it was riding, (well, mostly) and then watch the riders on the back loop in the distance. Tiana Coudray had a rough start on Ringwood Magister, picking up two stops before the 7th fence, but then looked to find their rhythm and were going well, but I didn’t see them stop at the water where their Gatcombe finished slightly prematurely.
Hamish and Tiger looked great cross country, very focussed, never looking like stopping, and I talked to Hamish after and he told me he was thrilled with Tiger and that he felt really great.
Lucinda Fredericks having a good go on The Navigator who finished 7th.
The Pony Club runners here at Gatcombe have been terrific, collecting xc scores on horseback, (immaculately turned out), dressage scores on foot, and even giving piggy back rides to tired children!
We scoured the Lorry Park after we’d finished watching some of the cross country, in the hope of finding Will Faudree for a chat, after a request via the comments on one of yesterday’s posts, but to no avail, he was nowhere to be found. The trouble is that the main arena is a long walk from the lorry park and Dressage arenas, and with just me trying to see everything, (and Lily wanting everything!) so it’s easy to miss people that you really want to see. Maybe he’ll be back tomorrow to spectate, and it will be one of those things when you’re not looking for someone you bump into them constantly! Fingers crossed. Thanks for sticking with Eventing Nation. Lots more to come from Gatcombe, as much ground as we can cover anyway! Go the British Intermediate and Open Championships tomorrow at the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe presented by BETA!
