King of Barbury in good position to retain his crown

Andrew Nicholson is in a handy spot in the Event Rider Masters class, with Sir Mark Todd in the mix too. Darius shows his consistency by a good placing in the two-star classes.

Jane Thompson

July 10, 2016

Jonelle Price on Classic Moet did a good test to be in 10th spot (Image: Libby Law)

Another action-packed day at Barbury with the prizes given out for the two-star classes and the exciting Event Rider Masters class getting under way. Andrew Nicholson, also known as “The King of Barbury” is in a great position: third place after dressage.

Dressage leader Marcio Jorge on Lissy Mac Wayer (Image: Libby Law) — Marcio Jorge on Lissy Mac Wayer (Image: Libby Law)

The class is led by Brazilian Marcio Jorge (32.5) on Lissy Mac Wayer, from Sweden’s Hedvig Wik (35.9) on Chippieh. Marcio is shortlisted for the eventing team to represent Brazil at Rio, along with Carlos Parro, Ruy Fonseca and Marcio Appel.

Andrew Nicholson is all smiles for interviews after Nereo performed well in the dressage to be in third place (Image: Libby Law) — Andrew is all smiles for interviews after Nereo’s good dressage performance (Image: Libby Law)

Nereo’s score was 37.6. One other combination scored under 40: Izzy Taylor on Be Touchable with 38. Sir Mark Todd is fifth on 40.1 with Leonidas II; 43.4 was Jonelle Price’s score on Classic Moet, putting her in 10th spot and Jesse Campbell’s 44.1 on Cleveland puts him into 11th. Xanthus and Blyth scored 56.8 and are 34th.

Jesse Campbell on Cleveland is in 11th place in the ERM (Image: Libby Law) — Jesse Campbell and Cleveland: currently 11th in the ERM (Image: Libby Law)

The show jumping and cross-country are live streamed (free). The show jumping starts at 8:30am (7:30pm NZT) with Blyth the first to go at 7.42 (NZT) and Andrew the last New Zealander to go, at about 9pm (NZT). The cross-country times for each rider will be finalised after the show jumping, as they go in reverse order. The first horse will start at 2:30am (NZT). Go to Event Rider Masters website for the live streaming.

Gemma Tattersall on Quicklook V lead the CIC3* after two phases (Image: Libby Law) — Gemma Tattersall on Quicklook V: leading the CIC3* after two phases (Image: Libby Law)

In the CIC3* class after dressage and show jumping there was little change in the leaderboard with only Ollie Townend dropping out from third place when he retired in the show jumping on Armada. Gemma Tattersall still leads, with Pippa Funnell second. Tim Price and Bango have moved into eighth place after a clear show jumping round.

Tim Price on Bango, in eighth place at this stage. (Image: Libby Law) — Tim Price on Bango, eighth at this stage (Image: Libby Law)

Blyth finished sixth on Darius in Section C of the CIC2* competition, adding nothing to his dressage score in the jumping phases – one of the very few who achieved this. The section was won by William Fox-Pitt on Secret Night. Andrew Nicholson was eighth on Urma BK, also finishing on his dressage score.

Blyth Tait on Darius finished sixth in a two-star section. (Image: Libby Law) — Blyth Tait and Darius finished sixth in a two-star section (Image: Libby Law)

In Section D of the CIC2*, Andrew was second on Liberto II with Blyth 17th on Carin and Clarke Johnstone 18th on Deo Volente III. Tim finished 13th on Danaturano K in section E.

Andrew Nicholson on Liberto II into second place in a two-star class. (Image: Libby Law) — Andrew Nicholson and Liberto II jumping into second place in a two-star class (Image: Libby Law)

Sir Mark, Paul Tapner and Tim and Jonelle Price performed an awesome display of team work and speed to win the JCB Champions Challenge, which is run in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund. The antipodean eventing team knocked the jump jockeys from their two-year reign with a series of seamless baton changes. Jump jockeys Richard Johnson, Wayne Hutchinson, Tom Scudamore and Tom Bellamy were unable to close the gap, after a messy baton change between Scudamore and Hutchinson early on.