Team GB takes the first Nations Cup leg. Photo by ESP Photographic.
On the final day of this year’s Bicton International Horse Trials (22-25 May) we saw a spectacular day of sport, but one rider stole the show.
Laura Collett was the rider of the moment at Bicton International Horse Trials in the TopSpec CCI4*-S leading the British team to victory in the first leg of the 2025 FEI Eventing Nations Cup™. The winning British team comprised Laura (riding London 52), pathfinder Gemma Stevens, who looks to have another Chilli Morning-sired star in Chilli King in 14th, Barnie Brotherton, who made an excellent British team debut in eighth place on DHI King Nelson, and Selina Milnes on Cooley Snapchat in fifth place.
Technical Director and Eventing Performance Manager Richard ‘Dickie’ Waygood commented, “There’s so many highlights to mention, with some lovely young horses that will have gone away from here with a really good experience. It has been great to get Barnie on to the team, giving him a wonderful opportunity and he has really shone from beginning to end, which is great for the future. All in all, it’s been a great day for the team and lots of exciting prospects.”
Laura Collett and London 52. Photo by ESP Photographic.
The US team, several of whose riders are spending the summer in Europe as members of the US Development Squad, finished second with Jenny Caras the highest placed rider in 10th on Sommersby.
Laura, a renowned specialist around Bicton’s spectacular cross country course, led the CCI4*-S from the start with a record dressage score for the Devon event, 18.5, on her dual Olympic gold medallist and 2022 Badminton winner, co-owned with Karen Bartlett and Keith Scott, London 52.
She was also third on Dacapo – echoing her first and third placings on the same horses in 2023. Her win on London 52 makes the pair the sole winners of the CCI4*-S since its inaugural run. Their beautiful cross country round, with just 2.4 time penalties, was the fastest of the day. “It was amazing,” Collett commented fresh from her round. “All my horses have been incredible but when I get on [London 52] I get quite emotional because he is just unbelievable. I’m just the luckiest girl in the world to have a horse like him. What he has done for my career has been beyond imaginable. He loves performing in front of a crowd and is at his happiest when people are clapping and cheering, so he’s a happy boy today.”
Samantha Lissington, representing New Zealand, was second on Lord Seekonig and the experienced British combination of Kitty King and Vendredi Biats, holders of European team gold and individual silver medals, were fourth.
Elizabeth Barratt and Big Boss Melo. Photo by ESP Photographic.
Elizabeth Barratt was crowned the Succeed British Young Rider Champion at the start of the day. It was a rollercoaster week for Barratt, but in the end her clear on the ever-reliable 14-year-old Big Boss Melo, owned by Barratt Eventing, snatched the win back for her. “’It means so much to me,” commented Elizabeth once she found out she had the win. “It’s so special, and not something that I ever thought would happen. There are so many amazing young riders at the moment and it’s amazing to be able to compete against them.’”
Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-L saw a shake up of the leaderboard over Krissy Spiller’s show jumping course, with Ros Canter’s one, two finally being intercepted by a stellar clear from Yasmin Ingham and Kinda Corvette.
Ros Canter Silversters Finesse. Photo by ESP Photographic.
The in-form Ros Canter, fresh from a brilliant Badminton victory a fortnight ago, added another trophy to her cabinet with a win on Deborah and Fergus Langstaff’s eight-year-old chestnut mare, Silvesters Finesse, and third on Armscote Explorer. “I’m over the moon. This year both horses have come out and started to really show that they’re top class,” said Ros, post-show jumping round. “I’m delighted for Silvester Finesse’s owner, who sadly isn’t at Bicton today, she has been very supportive and so I’m really pleased for this result with her.”
Kitty King and Dassett Flight. Photo by ESP Photographic.
Kitty King and Elizabeth Golby’s Dassett Flight Path led throughout to win the Equilume CCI2*-L. Tom McEwen followed in second on Brookfield Danny De Muze with Laura Collett and Cooley Iceage in third. “It’s been an excellent week, I always really enjoy coming to Bicton, it’s one of my favourite venues and being based in Wiltshire it’s really nice to support local events,” commented Kitty. “We’ve had a great time with Dassett Flight Path and he’s learnt a lot at this event. He’s just come out and performed at every phase; he’s not let me down or himself down and been a little trooper all week.”
There were universal plaudits for the team at the Bicton International Horse Trials, which catered for around 180 horses over the weekend, producing immaculate footing on Helen West’s cross country course which was beautifully presented and rode well throughout. “It’s been a real pleasure to watch so many horses, both experienced and novice, enjoying themselves,” said Helen. “This is what the sport is all about, and we’ve had really exciting competitions and been lucky enough to have seen both established stars and ones to watch for the future.”
There were special prizes given throughout the sections from the wonderful supporting companies Tackroom Distillery, Redpost Equestrian, Wyvern Equestrian, Darts Farm, Yeti, Equilume, Chatham, Halley Floral Designs, Nyetimber, Darts Farm, Gatehouse Trailer Bar, Taste of Sidmouth and The Kitchen at Combe.
Bicton International (UK): [Website] [Scores] [Live Stream Replays]
