Banbury International Horse Trials is a fun event, and has attracted high class fields. The first day of dressage has finished and there were a few New Zealanders out doing their thing, including Helen Christie who is the President of the three-star Ground Jury.
Lizzie Brown on Havanna Vant Castanaehof scored a 51.5 and sits in 11th place in the CIC3* section B. Tim Price isn’t far behind her on 55.9 on The Precious One, in 18th place. Cam Robertson on Black Ink will be disappointed with their score of 65.8 which leaves them in 34th place. The class is led by Stella Benatti on Zaron on 42.2 from Laura Collett on Grand Manoeuvre on 42.6.
There are more Kiwis to come tomorrow. Sir Mark Todd rides Landslide, Caroline Powell has Spice Sensation in and Andrew has Jet Set IV and Teseo. Blyth Tait rides Bear Necessity. Caroline has withdrawn Halltown Harley but has Sinatra Frank Baby in the two-star.
In section C of the CIC2*, William Fox-Pitt leads on Secret Night on a score of 41.1. Andrew Nicholson on Urma BK is 14th= on 52.5. In section D, Andrew is in fourth place on Liberto II on 43.4, Neil Spratt is 11th= on Galwaybay Echo on 48.3, and Blyth is 17th on Carin on 50.2. Dan Jocelyn and Odds Against had a 55.8 and are in 31st place. In Section E of the 2*, Andrew is second on Byrnesgrove First Diamond on a score of 45. Tom McEwan leads on Joyride on 44.2. Tim is 13th on Danturano K with 49.5. and Blyth is 30th on Leo Distinction on a score of 54.7.
In the Novice class, Neil Spratt is second on First Lancer on 25, Jesse Campbell fifth= on Cosa Rostra on 27.5 and Dan on Fjury scored 37.8 to be in 30th place.
Lucy Jackson makes a return to competition after having a bit of time off due to injury. Clarke Johnstone has withdrawn Balmoral Sensation from the CIC2* but does have Deo Volente III in that class. Clarke has also withdrawn Ritchie from Aachen next weekend, but we have been advised from ESNZ that “because there has been so many event cancellations due to poor weather, Clarke has decided that running at Aston-le-Walls (next weekend), rather than Aachen, is a better preparation ahead of Rio.”
The cross-country course is built by Mark Phillips and spectators can see most it from the central arena complex.
The Event Rider Masters competition will start Saturday with the show jumping and cross-country on Sunday. You can watch it live for free on this link.
Blyth Tait will be first to go in the dressage at 9.44pm (Saturday NZT) on Xanthus. However, we understand he is now taking this horse to Aachen next weekend instead.
Next up will be Jonelle Price on Classic Moet, at 11.17pm (NZT). The horse could suit this competition, as it will require a speedy cross-country and this combination are certainly that!
Jesse Campbell will be on at 12.21am (Sunday NZT) on Cleveland, and Andrew Nicholson at 13.47am (NZT) on Nereo, followed by Mark Todd on Leonidas at 14.02.
The show jumping and cross-country times are not confirmed until after dressage as riders go in reverse order, to add to the excitement! All we know at this point is that the show jumping will start at 9:30pm (NZT) on Sunday night.
