A jam-packed weekend of competition saw over 450 competitors make the journey to the Grade 1 listed estate in Budleigh Salterton, owned by Lord and Lady Clinton.
A 32.7 score put Barnie Brotherton and his own 12-year-old Cash Casino well ahead of the field by nearly eight marks in the CCI3*-S class, sponsored by Rathbones. Following a successful run at Little Downham earlier in the month, where the combination won the Open Intermediate Under 21 class, this win has been the icing on the cake for the pair that are based with Harry Meade, in their final run of the season. “He felt amazing! Cash Casino had some time-off at the beginning of the season which gave us a chance to really focus on our dressage, so I was really pleased that he was second after this phase. It finally all came together in the final round where he jumped a nice clear,” said 18-year-old Barnie.
Over 100 competitors took part in the pilot BE90 3 Day Event which ran alongside the popular BE100 3 Day Event, both sponsored by NAF. The long format competition took place over three days that included roads and tracks and a steeplechase, a unique opportunity for all competitors. With the added incentive of the top 10 percent of finishers qualifying for the BE90 and BE100 Championships held at Badminton Estate in 2022.
12-year-old Zara Head rode her own six-year-old mare Clenagh High Society to win the BE90 3 Day Event on a score of 28.5. The young pair took it all in their stride, “She was amazing and really bold going cross country, it was a challenging course, but she made everything feel so easy,” said Zara.
Seven-year-old Pull Ya Socks Up owned by the Socksessful Syndicate was crowned the winner of the BE100 3 Day Event with Stratford-upon-Avon based Harriet Dickin finishing on a score of 27.1. “We won the BE100 at Broadway last week so that put us in good stead coming to Bicton and I knew he was fit and ready. We have an event and racing yard so we find the fitness phase of a long format competition quite easy, although he can be tricky to ride as he’s big, but we managed to hold it all together to take the win,” said Harriet.
NAF’s UK Marketing Manager, Isla Boxall-Loomes added “We were really pleased to have been able to support the BE90 and BE100 Three Day Events at Bicton Arena. Both sets of classes look to have been a real hit with competitors and have been a highlight in this year’s eventing calendar. We’ve loved reading everyone’s stories from the event across our social media platforms and it’s been wonderful to read such positive feedback.”
Bicton Arena’s Manager Andrew Fell commented “What a fantastic weekend of competition we have had here at Bicton and congratulations to all the winners – what an outstanding end to our busy season! I’m so proud of the team who have worked tirelessly to bring this all together and a huge thank you to our team of volunteers and sponsors who made this all happen.”
Full results can be found here: www.eventingscores.co.uk
Have you entered the NAF BE90 or BE100 3 Day Event at Bicton?
Perhaps you are thinking of giving it a go next season?
We have teamed up with class sponsor NAF to offer a few tips for competitors on what to expect next week.
What how does it differ to a normal one-day event?
The competition takes place over multiple days with the showjumping phase being held on the last day, in reverse order of merit. It gives you a chance to compete like professional riders do at an international three-day event. You will also undertake the Road & Tracks and Steeplechase phases as well as a trot up in front of a Ground Jury on the final morning of the competition.
There will be rider meetings on Thursday and Friday, its mandatory that you attend one of these where you will receive lots of information and to ask any questions you may have.
NAF Five Star Stabling Tips
When stabling away from home gut health can become compromised, feeding a digestibility enhancer can help to provide microbiome stability, a simple Instant Biotics Syringe can support their stay away in an instant and settle their tummy.
Dressage
Taking place either Thursday or Friday the dressage will be in a 20m x 60m arena.
NAF Five Star Dressage Tips
Take advantage of our sponsors care range when tacking up for your test, deal with those stains fast with the popular Muck Off stain remover, while Paint it Black and Clear helps to give hooves a professional edge and spray Silky to make sure all those manes and tails are tangle free. Get the look with their Plait it Up spray to help give you the grip while keeping wisps at bay to their Mark your Mark quarter mark spray. Finished off with some Razzle Dazzle to really help you stand out in front of the judges and a quick saddle and bridle touch up with NAF Sheer Luxe Leather Cleanse and Conditioner and you are ready for the centre line!
Cross Country
This is a four phase discipline that will take place on Saturday.
Phase A (Roads & Tracks) – This is a good trot around the Bicton parkland, there will a timed 1 minute break at the end of this phase and phase B.
Phase B (Steeplechase) – 5 x chase fences, the distances and optimum time will be given at the briefing. When you have finished, the time automatically starts for phase C.
Phase C (Roads & Tracks) – taking place on the national nature reserve of the Pebblebed Heaths, this phase should be executed at a good walk/trot pace all the way around. At the end you need to trot for the last 150m so that the vet can check your horse is sound. When you get into the D box/10 minute box, the vet will check your horse’s heart rate and respiration to see if they are fit to continue. In the 10 minute box you need to have a team of people ready to help you so you can sit down and think about your cross country course whilst everyone can look after and wash your horse. Stewards will keep you informed and let you know how long you have until you need to get back on board to start the next phase, the cross country.
Phase D (Cross Country) – this will take place over the beautiful Grade 1 listed parkland, a fit horse is required as the terrain is undulating. Watches capable of being started, stopped and recording lapsed time are allowed.
NAF Five Star Cross Country Tips
Make sure you are prepared with some NAF Event Grease to help reduce impact should any knocks occur, long lasting, water resistant and highly effective. When you have completed your round, wash them down with some Cooling Wash to help cool and refresh those hot and tired muscles and then apply Ice Cool clay or Gel to help naturally soothe, tighten and restore tired legs overnight, easily washed off in the morning.
When you give them their evening feed, include Electrolytes which are essential to replace the sweat and the important body salts that are lost throughout this process. Failure to replace can result in fatigue and poor performance, NAF recommend Electro Salts added into their feed or Liquid Electro Lytes which can be syringed or added into feed and water.
Trot Up
On Sunday morning there is a trot up that you will need to do with your horse so the vet can check he is sound. There is a prize for the best dressed competitor and turned out horse!
NAF Five Star Trot Up Tips
As with your dressage preparation, we all want to look fresh and ready for action at the trot up, take advantage of the NAF Care Range with their Show Off Shampoo capable of restoring a tired coat and promoting a healthy shine. Support white socks with Brighter than White an easy to apply chalk or paste to support coat colour and be ready for any ground jury.
Showjumping
The showjumping will take place on a surface on Sunday with 8-13 jumping efforts and it will take place in reverse order, the top 10 jump last and as you can expect, the course will be up to height.
NAF Five Star Showjumping Tips
For those lacking enthusiasm on their final day, an EnerG Shot can help to provide fast release energy and offer essential amino acids to give them a boost for the final round!
It really is a competition experience to remember, here is what a few of last year’s competitors had to say about it:
Katy Mousdale – BE100 3 Day Winner – “Just come and give it a go, everyone is really helpful – even on the Roads & Tracks people point each other in the right direction. All the officials and volunteers out there help you and it really sets the horse up to go out cross country. I’ve never been here before and it’s stunning, the arenas really help and the team have worked so hard with the ground.”
Claire Deuten – 2020 competitor – “I think it’s a lovely event, the organisation is fantastic and the courses are really educational. The team do an amazing job, anything you want or need you just ask.”
For further information on the NAF range please call our FREE Nutritional Advice Line 0800 373 106. To find more details on the speed and phases – click here.
Don’t forget to join the Bicton 3 Day What App group by scanning this QR code:
Gemma Tattersall had a day to remember at the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials: she not only won her first CCI5* in style on Chris and Lisa Stone’s Chilli Knight, but at the subsequent winner’s press conference, her boyfriend Gary Stevens seized the microphone to propose. Of course, she said yes!
Gemma had already become emotional as the magnitude of her victory gradually sunk in: she has known the 11-year-old chestnut gelding since he was born — he is by the Stones’ Badminton-winning Chilli Morning out of Kings Gem, a mare produced in East Devon by Mary King. “It’s been a long road, lots of hard work and a fabulous little horse,” she said.
It was the first all-girl line-up since Pippa Funnell led Pia Pantsu and Jeanette Brakewell at Badminton in 2003, and here was Pippa on the podium again, in second place after a beautiful clear showjumping round on Nick and Barbara Walkinshaw’s Billy Walk On. “I couldn’t fault him,” said a visibly delighted Pippa. “He couldn’t have done anything more.”
Piggy March, the heroine of cross-country day, hit two rails on Trevor Dickins’ Vanir Kamira, but such was the three female riders’ supremacy that she slid no lower than third and showed great grace in defeat, immediately congratulating Gemma.
“I can’t believe I’m sitting between these two legends of the sport,” said Gemma. “Pippa has been my heroine for ever and Piggy is just the best rider in the world.
“I never dared to dream. Before the showjumping, I tried to pretend that I was going into Ring 2 at Hickstead, which is my local event and where I jump day after day.”
The world champion Ros Canter showed she has another star in the making with fourth place on Pencos Royal Jewel, and Pippa was also fifth on Majas Hope. The men finally got a look in with Richard Jones, Oliver Townend, Padraig McCarthy and Tim Price filling sixth to ninth places, and Felicity Collins performed a beautiful clear round to rise two places to 10th and seal a perfect first five-star completion.
Riders heaped praise on Event Director Andrew Fell and his team for producing such a beautifully presented competition at just 11 weeks’ notice. Pippa said: “I think I speak for all the riders when I say how much we appreciate being back competing in front of spectators. You have made us raise our game.”
“Bicton has long deserved this level of competition,” commented Dr Geoffrey Guy, the owner of Chedington Estate in Dorset, which generously sponsored the Horse Trials. “Chedington is delighted for Gemma Tattersall and Chilli Knight who showed excellence in all three phases to claim the title.
“Chedington Equestrian is passionate about creating opportunities for horses and riders to train and compete under the best conditions and this weekend Bicton have provided an absolutely World Class setting for a very important fixture for horses and riders. Chedington is delighted to have played a part in this event and look forward to working with Bicton in the future to continue to be able to offer the highest calibre of events in the UK.”
British Eventing’s Chief Executive Officer and Event Advisor, Helen West added, “It gives me great pleasure to thank Bicton Arena, its sponsors, riders, owners, volunteers and all who have supported this one-off event. I know it was a huge challenge managing the only five-star competition in the UK this year and we are indebted to everyone for taking this on. It has been a wonderful weekend of competition and top-class sport.”
Find full results on www.eventingscores.co.uk and re-live the action on www.horseandcountry.tv/eliteeventing
One of the happiest riders after cross-country at the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials was 23-year-old Felicity Collins who was celebrating a long-awaited first CCI5* completion. “It definitely feels like a milestone and a relief,” said Felicity, whose well-judged clear round with 23.6 time penalties elevated her to 12th position overnight on RSH Contend Or.
The pair contested Pau in 2019, where they retired three-quarters of the way around the cross-country when the horse became too strong. “My brakes failed — he is a strong horse — and it’s been such a long wait to have another go.”
Felicity, whose mother Vicky many people remember being placed at five-star level on Welton Molecule, bought “Micky” when he was rising six from Sarah-Jane Knight at Richmond Sport Horses. “It was in 2015 while Badminton was on the television and she rang me up and said ‘I’ve got your Badminton horse’,” explained Felicity.
“He was too sharp for her and he has sometimes been tricky. In hindsight, Bicton has come at the right time for us as we’re now a far more established partnership and have done 10 double clears at four-star level.
“I’m so proud. I have always thought a lot of the horse and now I’ve been able to show the rest of the world what he can do. Covid has hit my business hard and I am desperately trying to build up my yard again, so I hope my performance yesterday will have caught the eye a bit.”
Five-time Olympian Ian Stark travelled down to the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials to promote British Eventing’s new charity, the British Eventing Support Trust, which aims to help riders who are struggling after injury or mental-health problems.
Ian, a three-time Badminton winner, multi-medalled member of the British team for 16 years and now a course-designer, is chairman of the British Eventing Support Trust, for which trustees include former eventer and thoroughbred breeder Lady Lloyd Webber and businessman Mark Sartori, owner of Izzy Taylor’s European championship ride.
Britain’s Olympic gold medal trio, Oliver Townend, Tom McEwen and Laura Collett, who credits the Injured Jockeys Fund’s (IJF) rehabilitation centre at Oaksey House with getting her back to fitness after a serious fall, are also giving the charity their backing and a series of fund-raising events are planned for 2022.
“It’s important to look after our own and we can definitely do more,” said Ian. “The charity will be purely to support riders, whether that be for referrals, including for mental health, or for sending them to one of the IJF centres for rehabilitation after injury.
“We’re now much more aware of mental-health issues these days and we want riders to be able to ask us for help, and that includes riders from any nation that are members of BE. The IJF has set a high standard in racing and it’s important that we raise our game.”
The charity will also be working with Riders Minds, an online resource and helpline founded by the late event rider Matthew Wright.
Further information can be found on www.britisheventing.com
Piggy March produced the cross-country round of the day to take the lead in the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials after an exciting day in which the cream rose to the top and a bumper crowd basked in the sunshine.
The scene is set for a thrilling finale tomorrow, as Piggy and Trevor Dicken’s gallant mare Vanir Kamira have no margin for error over Gemma Tattersall and Chilli Knight in second place or third-placed Pippa Funnell on the long-striding Billy Walk On.
World champion Ros Canter had a brilliant first five-star ride on Pencos Crown Jewel to lie fourth going into the final showjumping phase and OIiver Townend is in fifth place on Tregilder despite incurring a frustrating 11 penalties for triggering a MIM safety clip.
Piggy was fulsome in her praise of her bold mare. “She puts her snout down and off she goes. She’s all heart and guts. That track was by far the hardest terrain I’ve ridden, but it was probably made for her.”
Captain Mark Phillips awarded the 2TheBarn Horsemanship Award to Piggy; this award was created in conjunction with Event Director Andrew Fell and FEI Rider Representative William Fox-Pitt to reward the rider who, in the opinion of the course-designer, had demonstrated good judgement and intelligent riding.
Gemma Tattersall has fulfilled every eventer’s dream of knowing a horse from foal to five-star: she was there when Chilli Knight (“Alfie”) was born and, at Bicton, she was the first rider to finish inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 16 seconds. “It’s just the biggest relief and elation. He’s now become one of the best cross-country horses in the world. He feels like a little pony at home, but on the cross-country he turns into a lion.”
Pippa Funnell was the only rider to complete on two horses — she is eighth on Majas Hope having lost time when getting tangled up in string. The 52-year-old admitted she was wondering if this would be her last five-star, but a brilliant day has reinvigorated her and she described her round on Billy Walk On as one of the best rides of her career.
“I’m elated,” she said. “He’s not the fastest horse but my horses do a lot of hillwork in the Surrey Hills and it was nice to come here knowing that your horse is fit enough for you to ask the questions. I really enjoyed it. I came here thinking I should retire, but I’ve had a really good time. Bicton has put on an outstanding event and it has been so lovely to have crowds again.”
Nineteen of the 31 cross-country starters completed with 12 penalty-free rounds — four riders triggered a MIM clip —and three achieved the optimum time. Richard Jones rose impressively up the order to sixth place with a good clear for 8.8 time penalties. Padraig McCarthy was the first rider around clear, on the elegant grey HHS Noble Call, and is now seventh.
“We have all enjoyed watching the top-class action at Bicton Park today,” said Event Director Andrew Fell. “The course lived up to its expectations and was a true and fair five-star cross-country test over Captain Mark Phillips’ course. It will be a worthy winner that takes home the trophy tomorrow.”
The first horse inspection is scheduled for 9.00am tomorrow and the showjumping phase at 1.30pm. Follow the action with live scores on www.eventingscores.co.uk and livestreaming on www.horseandcountry.tv/eliteeventing
The three members of the ground jury at a three-day event will often pass unnoticed by most, save for comments about dressage judging or other crucial decisions and judgements they may have to make during the competition. They are unpaid, save for expenses, but, like other FEI officials, undertake rigorous training to ensure they preside over a fair competition, have their ‘eye’ in and are up-to-speed with rules.
Andrew Bennie, president of the ground jury at the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials, is one of very few to have both ridden and judged at Olympic level, as well as coaching to Paralympic level.
He trained as an electrician in his native New Zealand, but has been based in Britain for many years, competing regularly at five-star and championship level and winning team bronze at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
Andrew has judged at every CCI5* in the world except Adelaide, plus the Rio Olympics, Tryon World Equestrian Games and will be presiding over the forthcoming European Championships in Avenches, Switzerland. He stopped competing internationally in 2007 but says: “Sometimes, I think I would still like to be doing it – if I had the right horse, I like to think that I would still be brave enough.”
Jane Tolley, the British judge, comes from a racing background, worked for British Airways and then, with her late husband, David, ran an eventing yard, owning such top horses as Merillion and Hinnegar, ridden by Andrew Nicholson and Matt Ryan. She has judged all over the world, from Eastern Europe to India, as well as at Badminton and Burghley, and is a regular national judge of dressage.
“I love seeing the horses through from when they trot up on the Wednesday afternoon through to the very end on Sunday afternoon – it’s absolutely fascinating, and wonderful to see horses improve and grow from season to season.”
Seppo Laine runs a stud and cattle farm in Finland, running national equestrian competitions. He competed up to 4* level for many years, has worked for the Finnish federation and started judging in 1999.
“We get to see the best in the world, both horses and riders, and meet some lovely people — eventing is like a big family,” he says. “I am always interested in how riders work and train their horses and to see the result of their hard work.”
It’s unusual nowadays for riders competing at five-star level to juggle it with a mainstream occupation, but two international visitors to the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials are doing just that.
Sweden’s Malin Josefsson, the only rider from Continental Europe, is a vet and Irish rider Sarah Dowley is a radiation therapist at the Hillman Cancer Centre in Waterford.
Malin scored 35.4 on Golden Midnight in the dressage. “I really, really wanted to do another five-star with this horse [following Badminton 2019 where they were 25th] and when I couldn’t get him to the Olympics, I decided to come to Bicton,” she explained.
She describes her family background as “more animals generally than horses”. “We used to breed sheep, but I wanted to ride so we switched to breeding horses,” she revealed. “We also breed German Shepherd dogs.”
Malin has trained for 15 years with Piia Pantsu, Finland’s most successful rider and a runner-up at Badminton in 2002.
Sarah scored 34.0 on the 18hh Rubix Kube, her first horse who she has been competing internationally for 10 years, having originally been bought for her father as a “happy hacker”. She says she wouldn’t be able to manage without the help of her parents.
Bicton is her CCI5* debut. “This weekend is something to enjoy. I’m on my holidays and want to enjoy it. This is going to be a big step for me.”
Malin Josefsson & Golden Midnight
Sarah Dowley & Rubix Kube
The best was saved until last when Pippa Funnell, the penultimate rider in the Chedington Bicton 5* Horse Trials, rode into the lead on Nick and Barbara Walkinshaw’s majestic Billy Walk On with a mark of 23.9. She holds a 1.6-penalty advantage over her great friend Piggy March and the feisty little mare Vanir Kamira.
Will Rawlin, 27, finds himself in elevated company, having produced a brilliant performance on his CCI5* debut, riding VIP Vinnie, a handsome 13-year-old Hanoverian, to score 25.6. “It’s amazing to be in this place at the moment, but my main aim is to get around my first five-star,” he said modestly. “I’m not expecting to be in this position on Sunday.”
While Will is at the start of his international career, Piggy and Pippa won the last two CCI5*s on British soil: Badminton and Burghley respectively in 2019. “Billy Walk On is a wonderful horse and I am delighted with him,” said Pippa, who earned a 10 for her final halt from ground jury president Andrew Bennie.
“It’s brilliant that Bicton has put on this five-star for us. It takes so many years to get a horse to this stage and we’ve lost two years in the pandemic, so we’re just very pleased to be here.”
Vanir Kamira is a horse that tends to shine on the big stage, so it has been a particularly truncated two seasons for her, as Piggy explained: “It’s such a fine line with her – she has a delicate temperament. She feels pretty ordinary at one-day events and then she rises to the big occasion. Today it feels as if our sport is back.”
Izzy Taylor has had an interrupted summer with a broken collarbone, but she conjured an elegant test from the handsome grey Fonbherna Lancer and completes a British top four. New Zealander Tim Price, who led at the halfway stage, is now fifth on Ringwood Sky Boy, but scores are tightly packed and the cost of one cross-country mistake covers the top 20 horses.
Tim Downes, a judge and trainer who was commentating for Horse & Country TV and watched every horse, praised the overall standard of riding. “What stood out was the consistent quality,” he said. “All the riders knew how to rebalance their horses, put errors behind them and correct their mistakes. Riders were on top of their game.”
Riders are looking forward to tomorrow’s cross-country phase, which starts at 12 noon, with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. “It’s big, meaty and I love it,” said Tim Price.
“The first day of competition at Bicton Park has come to a close and what a day it has been!” said Event Director Andrew Fell. “We have witnessed some stunning tests from competitors in the TopSpec Main Arena.”
Follow the action with live scoring on www.eventingscores.co.uk, or livestreaming on Horse & Country (www.horseandcountry.tv/en-us/pay-per-view/eliteeventing). Spectator tickets are available (www.bicton-arena.co.uk).
Tim Price, the world number two in eventing, marked his 50th start at five-star level by taking an early dressage lead at the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials in Devon. He scored 26.7 on Ringwood Sky Boy, at 18 the oldest horse in the field, to lead proceedings at the lunch break.
“I’m super proud of him, especially as he’s not really a dressage horse,” said the New Zealand Olympian of his 2018 Burghley winner. “He’s a credit to himself and he doesn’t owe us anything now.”
Two vastly experienced British riders, both multiple five-star winners, are in second and third places at this stage. William Fox-Pitt is just 0.3 behind Tim in second place on Oratorio with a mark of 27.0 and Pippa Funnell is third on Majas Hope with 27.4.
Gemma Tattersall, fourth before lunch, was overcome by emotion after her test on Chilli Knight, a son of William’s 2015 Badminton winner, Chilli Morning. “I produced this horse myself from the beginning and it’s as if he’s saying ‘Mummy, I’m doing my best’,” she explained tearfully.
Gemma is tipped by data analysts EquiRratings as a favourite to win her first CCI5*, and her chestnut gelding, placed at Bicton in June, has proved that he can cope with the cambers of the undulating cross-country course here. “He’s confident, he’s easy to go fast on and he’s amazing at measuring his fences.”
The beautiful grass arena at Bicton provides perfect viewing and international atmosphere. Newly crowned Olympic gold medallist Oliver Townend, who will wrap up the afternoon is last to go on his second horse, Tregilder, congratulated the Bicton Arena team for putting on a CCI5* at short notice. “I can’t take off my hat enough to the team here,” he said. “They have done a fantastic job. I am blown away by the presentation and the ground is A-one. It’s a proper five-star.”
Follow live results on www.eventingscores.co.uk. Gate admission is available for tomorrow’s cross-country (www.bicton-arena.co.uk) and the action will be livestreamed on Horse & Country (https://horseandcountry.tv/pay-per-view/eliteeventing).