Nicola Wilson Bulana © William Carey Photography
The Yorkshire-based rider said: “Bulana just gets stronger and stronger. She did some really super work in there and her way of going was probably the best it has been.”
Nicola and James and Jo Lambert’s 12-year-old mare scored 25.2 on Thursday, the first day of dressage. No one was able to overtake her on day two – although China’s Alex Hua Tian got very close with Don Geniro, scoring 25.3 to take second by a hair’s-breadth. Alex is also in the lead in CIC2* section E with DHI Jet Set.
Alex Hua Tian Don Geniro © William Carey Photography
Last year’s Barbury CIC3* winner William Fox-Pitt is in third in the CIC3* with a score of 26.4 aboard Fernhill Pimms.
Very few marks separate the top 10 in the 70-strong class, and Sunday’s jumping phases should prove very exciting.
In the remaining CIC2* classes, Australia’s Sam Griffiths and Billy Liffy are at the head of section C with a mark of 25.4. The Japanese pair of Toshiyuki Tanaka and Talma D Allou are in first place in CIC2* section D with 22.7.
There were eight competitive novice classes at Barbury today. Australia’s Chris Burton provided the stand-out performance, winning section F with Sue Lawson, Carolyn and Anthony Townsend’s Lawtown Girl on a stunningly good score of 14.5 – the marks awarded in the dressage test included a perfect 10 for his riding. Chris also took section I with the Royale Family’s Caliber Royale.
Britain’s Piggy French took novice section G with Tom March’s Sportsfield Top Notch. Swedish rider Ludwig Svennerstal, who is based in Wiltshire, won novice section H with his own Calvadoz. Another Wiltshire-based foreign rider, Brazil’s Rafael Losano, finished first in open novice section G on Fuiloda G. Harry Meade won intermediate novice section K with Brookfield Quality, owned by John and Chloe Perry and Alison Swinburn. Intermediate novice section L went to Wiltshire-based Swiss rider Christina Wiederkehr and Ben Ryder’s DG Canta. The pony open novice was won by Connie Gill and Movie Star II.
On Saturday the CIC2* sections showjump and go cross-country, while the CIC3* Event Rider Masters competitors perform their dressage tests in Barbury’s spectacular main arena. The England football game will be shown in the public bar!
Other attractions on Saturday include the JCB Champions’ Challenge, a hotly contested relay race over jumps between a team of top National Hunt jockeys – including current champion jockey Richard Johnson – and a team of top event riders, including Badminton winner Jonelle Price and the legendary dual Olympic gold medallist Sir Mark Todd.
There is also lots of children’s entertainment on offer, have-a-go dog agility and a fun dog show, shopping and great food.
Tickets may be bought on the gate or online up to midnight the day before your visit. For more information, visit www.barburyhorsetrials.co.uk.
