The organising team at Bicton, led by Helen West, took on a massive task when they stepped in at short notice to replace Bramham International, which is known to have one of the world’s most challenging CCI4*L tracks. To have produced such a wonderful influential track in a matter of just seven weeks was nothing less than amazing.
Irish riders who are longlisted for the rapidly approaching Tokyo Olympics had been diverted from the CCI4*S at Luhmühlen to the CCI4*S at Bicton, due to travel restrictions on the UK based riders travelling to Germany (These restrictions were actually lifted on Sunday).
CCI4*S
Tom McEwan and Toledo De Kerser. Photo © Irish Eventing Times
Just 7.7 penalties separated the top 10 finishers in the CCI4*-S , but it was Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser who took the victory. Having gone into the cross country in pole position, the combination completed the cross country to finish right on the optimum time of seven minutes to complete on their dressage score of 23.0.
Austin O Connor and Colorado Blue. Photo © Irish Eventing Times
Oxfordshire based, Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue (owned by the Salty Syndicate) were the highest placed Irish combination in the CCI4*S finishing in 10th place on a final score of 30.7. Colorado Blue added just 1.6 show jumping and 1.2 cross country time penalties to his dressage score of 27.9.
Fred Scala and Everon Vivendi. Photo © Irish Eventing Times
Cornwall based, Fred Scala and Everon Vivendi (owned by Emilio Scala & Fred Scala) produced an amazing clear cross country, and was one of only nine who returned within the optimum time over the challenging track. Fred added just 0.4 of a show jumping time penalty to his dressage score of 32, to finish in 12th position.
Joseph Murphy and Cesar V. Photo © Irish Eventing Times
Joseph Murphy and Cesar V (owned by The Way Forward Syndicate) finished in 21st place, finishing on a score of 42.2 having added 0.8 show jumping and 6.0 cross country time penalties to a dressage score of 35.4.
Brian Morrison and GLOBAL MENTOR. Photo © Irish Eventing Times
Brian Morrison with Global Mentor (owned by Marie Symington) posted a dressage score of 29.7. A pole down in the show jumping plus 0.4 of a time penalty added to 10 time penalties on the cross country, left the combination finishing in 25th place on 44.10.
Padraig McCarthy and FALLULAH.Photo © Irish Eventing Times
Fallulah finished in 28th on 48.3.MGH
Tokyo Phil finished in 52nd on 80.2
HHS Noble Call finished in 57th on 89.3
Leonidas II – Retired
CCI4*L
Nicola Wilson and JL Dublin.Photo © Irish Eventing Times
Nicola Wilson was victorious with JL Dublin in the CCI4*-L finishing on a dressage score of 28.7.
Ros Canter finished second in this section on Lordships Graffalo, finishing 1.9 penalties behind of Nicola.
Gemma Tattersall finished third on Santiago Bay on 31.5.
View a trip around the CCI4*L track
Fences 7ab, 10, 21ab and 24ab caused the main issues on the course in the CCI4*L. Fences 15abc The Course Designer’s Conundrum which had caused thee most discussion before the competition did not prove to cause too many problems.
