Nicholson on form at Bramham

Bramham has been a good hunting ground for both Andrew Nicholson and Caroline Powell and they are also sitting in good positions this year.

Andrew Nicholson on Jet Set IV doing a lovely dressage test. (Image: Libby Law).
Andrew Nicholson on Jet Set IV doing a lovely dressage test (Image: Libby Law).

Andrew Nicholson is the in-form New Zealander at Bramham overnight in the Equi-Trek CCI3* class, lying in third and eighth places after the first two phases. On both Jet Set IV and Teseo, he recorded two of the ten clear rounds under the time.

Caroline Powell back to her best on Onwards and Upwards (Image: Libby Law).

Caroline Powell has also had a good performance on Onwards and Upwards, moving up the leaderboard from 13th after dressage to be in sixth place with a clear round under time across country. On Flying Finish, she incurred 8.8 time faults, dropping to 12th.

Dan Jocelyn and Dassett Cool Touch, 13th with show jumping still to come in the CCI3* (Image: Libby Law).

Dan Jocelyn on Dassett Cool Touch also stormed around the course, finishing with 4 time faults in 13th position. Jesse Campbell was another Kiwi who jumped clear. His 10.4 time faults on a score of 56.2 put him into 19th place. The Kiwis were certainly on fire across country, and the only exception was Sir Mark Todd on Obos Colombus, who retired. He didn’t have a great weekend at all, and we hope that this blip soon passes!

Oliver Townend on MHS King Joules leads after two phases in the Equi-Trek CCI3* (Image: Libby Law).

The class is led by Oliver Townend on MHS King Joules who was ridden by Andrew earlier in his career. Oliver is on a score of 37.9, with Australia’s Sammi Birch right behind him on 39.9, adding 1.2 time faults to her dressage. Ollie has never won this event, despite living in the area and attempting many times, and it would mean a lot to him to win.

Oliver Townend on MHS King Joules (Image: Libby Law).

British Equestrian Trade Association CIC3*

Tim Price is the best-placed Kiwi in this class after storming around the cross-country on Bango within the time. Great to see Tim getting a great clear round under his belt, with this lovely horse.  The only other New Zealander in the field was Sir Mark Todd who withdrew MK San Cero after dressage. The New Zealand horse Black Tie, ridden by Oliver Townend, was also withdrawn after dressage.

British women are dominating the top 10: Holly Woodhead on DHI Lupison leads, with Gemma Tattersall second on Chico Bella P and fifth on Quicklook V. Kristine Cook on Billy the Red is third and also tenth on Calvino II. Kitty King, Nicola Wilson and Pippa Funnell are others in the top ten.

William Fox-Pitt had two good clears with a few time faults on Chilli Morning and Parklane Hawk (the New Zealand horse).

This event was being used as a final opportunity for British riders to impress the selectors, and their team will be announced soon.