Bramham CCI3* Trot-Up: All Pass, Three American Horses to Start

Hallie Coon’s Celien is walked in front of Bramham’s colossal centrepiece. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

This week, EN’s whistlestop tour of the other side of the pond takes us to the beautiful Bramham Park, tucked beside the historic city of York in the north of England. The Equitrek Bramham International Horse Trials hosts three classes – a CCI3*, an under-25 CCI3*, and a CIC3*, and always boasts a full roster of top names, each on the hunt for victory at this prestigious event. This week is no different – despite following on the heels of Tattersalls, and preceding the CCI4* at Luhmuehlen, we’re graced with likes of William Fox-Pitt, Andrew Nicholson, Gemma Tattersall, Julia Krajewski, and – well, as usual, the list goes on and on. With its Ian Stark-designed course and its big, bold, celebratory feel, we’re in for an incredibly exciting week.

2017 Luhmuehlen winner Julia Krajewski trots up Chipmunk FRH. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Even more exciting? We’ve got two of our second-placed Houghton Nations Cup team on the grounds, both contesting the Under-25 CCI3*. A win in this class has historically been a harbinger of huge careers to come, and Caroline Martin, riding Danger Mouse and The Apprentice, as well as Hallie Coon, riding Celien, will be chasing the title this week. Caroline finished 5th in the class last year, riding Pebbly Maximus, and 8th aboard The Apprentice. This year, she hopes to go even better.

Caroline Martin presents The Apprentice. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

This afternoon saw the competition commence, with the first horse inspection for both CCI sections. All horses presented passed, despite several being sent to the hold box – including Hallie’s Celien. Is there anything more stressful than a long wait for a re-presentation? No. No, there is not. (Although we might argue that watching poor Caroline Martin – who suffered a serious lameness of her own earlier this season – trot up is nearly equal.)

Hallie Coon and Celien will contest the CCIU253* at England’s Equitrek Bramham International Horse Trials. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Dressage for both CCI3* sections and the CIC3* commences tomorrow morning, with both Caroline and Hallie riding in the afternoon. Their times will be as follows:

Caroline Martin and Danger Mouse: 3.10pm BST/10.10am EST

Hallie Coon and Celien: 4:06pm BST/11.06am EST

Caroline Martin and Danger Mouse. Photo by Tilly Berendt.

Livestreaming for the event will be available through BETV on Saturday only – we’ll share the link once it’s been finalised. As always, keep it locked onto EN for all the latest updates, news, views, and interviews with all the riders you need to know.

Go Caroline and Hallie, and Go Eventing!