Houghton International Horse Trials 2014
by Baron Halpenny, LincsMag Editor.
Date: 27 May 2014
The EQ Life FEI Houghton International Horse Trials (22-25 May) made for a thrilling and nail biting event as the winning or losing was often held by just a few points. The rain that did fall, on Saturday it was a downpour, could not shake the determination and just showed the skill of both horse and rider.
As with all sporting events there are winners and losers and depending on which rider or team you were cheering on, it was mixed emotions. For Lincolnshire, one of our riders did exceptionally well, for team GB ... well, there is always another day.
CCI*
In the early stages the lead was tied between Ros Canter riding Cekatinka and Tim Cheffings on Donateur who both posted scores of 37.2. Just over one penalty off the pace was Tom Rowland riding Possible Mission and hard on his heels was Claas Hermann Romeike with Meyer's Happy. The scores were incredibly close with less than five penalties separating the top 10.
Amazingly both Ros Canter riding Cekatinka and Tim Cheffings on Donateur also completed the cross country in 7:56mins [the optimum time was 8:05mins]. The cross country phase had not had too big an impact on the dressage leaderboard, with only one of the dressage top 10 dropping out of the running – Tina Cook parted company from Billy The Red in the water.
“The course rode lovely, I had two fantastic rounds,” said Ros, who was also lying in 5th place with Calista. “I was thrilled with their dressage too – I'd come here hoping that they would produce good tests and they didn't disappoint me.”
Less than one rail separated the top eight (a pole down incurs 4 penalties), which made for a thrilling finish in the show jumping. Lincolnshire's Ros Canter held her nerve and her place at the top of the table to secure the win when joint leader Tim Cheffings's ride Donateur lowered the first part of the final treble.
“I'm never confident of a win but I knew coming there that if I could get the flatwork nailed on the day, Cekatinka is a good jumper and we could do well.” said Ros. “It's the first time I have led from the front, but being in the Nations Cup team was a great distraction and stopped me getting too nervous.”
Saturday's show jumping left Tim Cheffings down from equal first to 5th and 3rd placed Tom Rowland dropping to 6th. A clear round by Billy Cuckoo moved Pippa Funnell up in to 2nd, and the same from Woodlander Wesuvio put JP Sheffield in the final podium placing.
CCI**
After the CCI** competitors had performed their dressage tests the overnight leader was Belgium's Lara de Liedekerke riding Averouge des Quatre Chênes, as she held a narrow advantage over Pippa Funnell riding her home bred Billy The Biz, and with an even smaller margin between Pippa and Carrie Byrom on Detective.
The Cross Country saw a change in the leader board as Canada's Rebecca Howard moved into the top spot on Xavier Faer, up from 5th, Willa Newton was in 2nd on Chance Remark, up from 11th, and Lara de Liedekerke slipped into 3rd after picking up time penalties.
Lara de Liedekerke held her nerve to fight back, regaining the top spot that she had occupied after the dressage to to go on and triumph in the CCI**. Riding the eight-year-old stallion Averouge des Quatre Chênes she jumped a faultless show jumping round, and moved up to 1st place when leaders Willa Newton and Chance Remark had the misfortune to bring down a rail.
“Competing in the UK against riders like Andrew Nicholson and Tim Price you can never expect a win,” said 26-year-old Lara. “He did a super dressage, but he jumps so high over fences and we went cross country in the worst of the weather yesterday, so we were slower than usual – losing our lead. This was his last two star before he goes three star at Wiesbaden and he really deserved a win; he's always there when I need him.”
Just 0.1 of a penalty behind Lara, Matthew Wright and Shannondale Shinawil were the runners up, with Andrew Nicholson 3rd on Urma BK. Chance Remark finished 4th, with Willa's second ride Fernhill La Di Da 5th. The overnight leaders, Rebecca Howard and Xavier Faer, withdrew from the holding box at the final Vet Inspection.
CICO*** The FEI Nations Cup
The FEI Nations Cup produced a convincing win for the New Zealand team when Mark Todd topped the individual leaderboard riding NZB Campino and Lizzie Brown took second place, Henton Attorney General the only horse in the class to beat the cross country optimum time.
Lizzie declared herself thrilled with the result. “It was great to be part of such a cool team. The Nations Cup is a really fun concept and we kept the pressure on each other all weekend.
Andreas Ostholt led the German challenge, finishing 3rd on So Is Et. He was ably supported by Claas Hermann Romeike, the son of 2008 double Olympic gold medal winner Hinrich. Claas filled 5th place riding Cato 60 in what was his first appearance in the German Nations Cup team, giving the Germans second place on the podium. His father admitted: “I'm so proud that Claas is part of the team here – I hope there will be plenty of Championships to come for him.”
The British team were unable to defend their unbeaten record at Houghton, finishing in 3rd place, ahead of the French.
Askham Bryan National U21 Championships
Will Furlong and Livingstone II are the new National Under 21 Champions. On an influential final day, when just four horses left all the poles in their cups, Will moved three places up the leaderboard to claim the title.
“I went in to the arena focussing on jumping clear and hoping for a top three placing,” admitted Will. “There was definitely less pressure for me jumping fourth from last than for those above me. Livingstone has been great this weekend. We picked up quite a few cross country time penalties because he tired more than usual in the mud yesterday, but he came out today really fresh. I'm thrilled to have won.”
As part of his raft of prizes Will won the use of a Suzuki quad bike for 12 months, thanks to Suzuki ATV.
Sophie Beaty also climbed up the leaderboard with just one rail down riding Stanly to take the runner up spot while Isabella Innes Ker dropped one place to third with two jumps down.
There had been disappointing news in the morning with the withdrawal of overnight leader Navigator, also ridden by Sophie Beaty. Having enjoyed a fabulous cross country day, the only combination to complete on their first phase score, Sophie did not present Navigator at the final vet inspection.
Philip Grant, Deputy Principal of Newton Rigg College [part of Askham Bryan, sponsors of the U21 Championship] said: “It's our pleasure to be able to be associated with the Under 21s and support the up and coming riders as they progress in the sport. The weekend has been a great success and very enjoyable.”
Burghley Young Event Horse Classes
The winner of the Four Year Old class was Ginny Turnbull riding Candara, with Lincolnshire based, Alex Postolowsky on Hedgeholme Gospel runner up. The Five Year Old winner was Willa Newton riding Lauries Laudatio 2, who pipped Lucy Kemplay and Eires Rock to the top spot.
In the hotly contested Open Eventers Grand Prix Flora Harris took the spoils with Amazing VIII, with Polly West runner up riding Wigwam Bam.
Fantastic Credit
With such a mixture of weather the park had come through remarkably unblemished, which of course is also thanks to a dedicated team that worked hard to make sure everything flowed seamlessly or as near as could be. Unfortunately Saturday's heavy rain had an adverse effect on the number of spectators attending – the Organisers had been looking for a significant increase on the gate for Saturday and the reverse was the case.
But as Event Director Alec Lochore said: “We were lucky last year when despite a very wet Friday the sun shone on the Saturday. You can't be lucky every year. The riders have given us very positive feedback about the courses and the ground over which they rode which is gratifying. The one thing we have no control over is the weather.”
Juliet Case, Chief Showjumping Steward for the International classes, in turn praised the competitors. “They behaved impeccably, even during the torrential rain on Saturday. It takes a huge number of volunteers to put on a show like Houghton International, and it makes a big difference to all who give up their time when riders are so polite.”
I fully agree and it's fantastic credit to the riders on their professionalism and courtesy that do the sport proud and set it with such high standards. Roll on 2015 when the Houghton International Horse Trials will run from 28th-31st May.
Facebook Picture Album
To see more pictures from the Houghton International Horse Trials 2014, visit the Album on our Facebook page HERE!
