Pippa Funnell © William Carey/The Gaitpost
The main Equi-Trek CCI3* class was lead for much of the morning by three time Bramham winner Pippa Funnell with Jonathan & Jane Clark’s MGH Grafton Street with a great score of 27.9. However, just before the lunch break, French rider Matthieu Vanlandeghem riding the striking grey Trouble Fete ENE HN came in and wowed the Ground Jury to score 25.2.
Everyone may have had their lunch on their minds but the judges were firmly fixed on the task as Germany’s Julia Krajewski cantered up the centre line with the Hannoverian Chipmunk FRH. The duo were impressive and duly rewarded with a career best 19.4 penalties with Jane Holderness-Roddam scoring them on an amazing 82.88%. After the lunch break, Bill Levett and William Fox-Pitt came close to breaking into the top three but couldn’t quite make it for fifth and sixth respectively while Elaine Pen is fourth for the Netherlands riding Shady Grey on 28.0.
William Fox-Pitt © William Carey/The Gaitpost
A happy Julia said;
“It sounds an impressive score and it’s very special to get everything right at an event like this. It’s my third time here and I’ve not had the best time so I’m hoping for better. He’s always good in the dressage but he’s not found it easy as he’s taken time to grow into his body but he’s much stronger this year.
“He travelled well here and I had a good feeling about him. He’s not flashy in the dressage but the judges like him; he’s very correct and I can ride for every mark. It’s all about Saturday now!”
In the British Equestrian Trade Association CIC3*, Britain’s Ros Canter holds the advantage with Michele Saul’s No Excuse on 24.4 after narrowly edging out local heroine Nicola Wilson with her 2017 European Team gold and Individual bronze partner, Bulana, owned by James & Jo Lambert who had lead since late morning on 25.0 who in turn had taken the lead from William Fox-Pitt, hunting for his 10th Bramham win who lead since he was the first to go at 9:32 this morning with Carol Gee and Catherine Witt’s Fernhill Pimms who set the benchmark of 26.9. And so the podium stayed until the last rider of the class, Izzy Taylor aboard Sophie Dodds’ Be Touchable who just missed out on the lead by 0.1 of a penalty with a score of 24.5. French rider Gwendolen Fer sits fifth with Romantic Love with 28.1.
William Fox-Pitt © William Carey/The Gaitpost
Ros was pleased with her nine year old; she commented;
“I’m delighted with him. He’s very talented and tried really hard but I know there’s more to come. I arrived with him this morning so he could spend a bit of extra time in the field, I watched a few tests and warmed him up and he was great. It’s a step up for him here so I’ll be interested to see how he performs.”
In the British Horse Feeds u25 CCI3* it was a cast of first in, gauntlet thrown, lead held as Caroline Martin from the USA posted 26.0 with Sherrie Martin and her own Danger Mouse. 2017 European Young Rider Team Bronze Medallist Katie Bleloch holds second just 0.9 penalties behind with Bulano for Britain while Thibault Fournier leads the French challenge aboard Siniani de Lathus on 28.3 in third. Last to go Tom Jackson slotted nicely into fourth with Carpa du Buisson Z on 28.7 while Sam Ecroyd completes the top five with his first of two rides Master Douglas on 30.1.
Sam Ecroyd © William Carey/The Gaitpost
