A muddy but fresh Lenamore heads back to the stable with rider Caroline Powell, he does his dressage later this afternoon.
Yes, it is wet and muddy, but Bramham will prevail! The riders are in a meeting with officials right now discussing how best to cope with the weather, be that moving some fences after the CCI and before the CIC, taking any fences out that are situated in very wet spots or whatever they need to do, but rest assured the word is that the show WILL go on. Riders have been asked not to walk on the course any more, and the minute markers have been posted for them, in order to preserve the footing as much as possible.
Daisy Dick’s Mopani tried his hardest despite obviously hating the going, he slipped a few times behind and struggled through; check out the Daisy on his bum, it’s become a trademark!
Ashley Adams’ former ride Vaunted in the CCI*** with Fiona Read. You can keep with all the scores here.
Martyn Johnson told me his CIC*** ride Power Line’s tail was like this when he bought him – he needs to listen to Jess Montgomery on this week’s Eventing Radio Show because she has some great tips, especially on fake tails and how to attach them! Ruth Edge who was helping Martyn told me she didn’t think they were allowed at FEI events, and thanks to Jess, I was able to tell them about Loughan Glen wearing one at Blenheim CCI*** last year, and she said that now they knew the rules, they may well try one. We also had the delightful Canadian Olympic Eventer Samantha St Jacques on the show talking about married life with Grand Prix dressage rider Pierre and their son, Stirling. You can listen to it via the EN homepage, or subscribe on iTunes.
Andrew Nicholson and Avebury, very cool and calm, no mistakes to move into a handy 3rd position currently behind Laura Collett in the lead on Rayef, and William Fox-Pitt on Neuf Des Coeurs
William’s test on Neuf Des Couers was a joy to watch, and this horse coped with the muddy conditions in the arena better than most have all morning. The centre line especially is very deep, but Neuf Des Coeurs remained focused, William kept him in balance, everything looked wonderful.
Opposition Buzz stayed relaxed and did an accurate test for Nicola which must make all the Team GB connections, out in force this weekend and instantly recognisable by their brilliant rain gear – practice makes perfect! – very happy. He didn’t look like he was loving the going but coped with it, perhaps Nicola was just a touch conservative because of it, but it was still good enough to score 43.8 which puts them in 7th place at lunchtime.
Tom Crisp’s Cooly’s Luxury wasn’t enjoying the ground in the CCI*** arena either and although there were some promising moments he changed leads in both serpentines and looked a tiny bit overwhelmed by the occasion.
Props to Gary Parsonage for wearing a helmet, especially as it’s International Helmet Awareness Day tomorrow. Frenchman Benjamin Massie also wore one, and I know Olivia Loiacono was planning to wear hers. Rushing now to go off and see her test shortly, cross fingers for the USA in the U25 division, Go Subway!
Emily Baldwin’s Drivetime had a sense of humour failure, a nappy moment in the first canter serpentine and some tension will leave Emily disappointed I’m sure.
Tina Cook and her promising De Novo News performed a professional test to move into 8th place in the CCI*** at lunchtime. Rushing off so please excuse all errors and much more later from Bramahm – Go Eventing!
