Christopher Burton and Kinnordy Rivaldo competing at Barbury
Christopher Burton led the dressage on day one in the CIC3*-W and after the rest of the class had finished on day two, Chris and Kinnordy Rivaldo (owned by Tina Stafford and Chris) was still in the lead. The pair were one of only two combinations to break into the 30s with Chris finishing on 37.3 and British rider Kitty King riding Zidante on 39.4. Likewise, Tim Boland held onto his overnight third position on GV Billy Elliot on a score of 40.6, although his score was equalled by New Zealander Lucy Jackson riding Willy Do.
The other Australian in the top ten at this stage is Sam Griffiths and Real Dancer on 43.6, while Megan Jones and Bill Levett are a little further down the order. Last year Bill ran One Two Many NJ in the CIC3*, winning the class well ahead of second-placed Sara Cohen, and I’m sure he’ll be looking to repeat that winning form this year.
Tim Boland and GV Billy Elliot are running third after dressage
There are no Australians in the CCI* but in the CCI2*, one of our bloggers, Sammi McLeod, is handily placed in fourth place on a score of 45.5 riding a horse that is fairly new into her yard – Winnetou M. Paul Tapner has two rides in this class (Caicos and Carlito III), and although they are sitting a little further down the leader board after dressage, with just over 10 marks between eighth and 38th, positions are sure to change around a lot after cross country.
This year’s cross-country course at Hartpury has been designed by Eric Winter who is also responsible for the course at Blenheim, and when he’s not building courses he turns his attention to TD. In fact, Eric was due to be TD at Badminton this year but the bad weather gave him a rare weekend off! Eric’s course is sure to be challenging whilst giving spectators plenty of good viewing at vantage points around the track.
This will the first British event for Megan Jones and Tim Boland since arriving in the UK as Olympic reserve riders and I’m sure they will be glad to get out there and blow away the cobwebs.
Photos: LIbby Law Photography
