Today marked the opening of the May International Horse Trials (22-25 May) at Bicton, Devon. The first competitors from all four classes headed down the centre line in the Western Counties main arena, signalling the start of the event.
In the British Young Rider National Championships sponsored by Succeed Elizabeth Barratt and the Barratt Eventing owned 14-year-old gelding Big Boss Melo took the lead in the dressage with a score of 28.3. “I was really pleased with him in the dressage. He’s quite a sensitive horse and we’ve been working hard on our flatwork so it’s great to have a solid start to the competition. He’s an incredible jumper so I can’t wait to take him cross country on Saturday,” said Elizabeth. Snapping at her heals just 0.2 penalties behind in this competitive class is Holly Clarke and Mrs Alex Clarke’s Nico.
Badminton five star winner Ros Canter and 8-year-old chestnut mare Silvesters Finesse lead the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-L with 25.1. Owned by Deborah and Fergus Langstaff, Nessie, as she is fondly known at home, has had a good season so far with four top ten finishes out of six starts.
The dressage action in the Equilume CCI2*-L saw Tom McEwen take the lead on Mrs Alison Swinburn, John and Chloe Perry’s 7-year-old Brookfield Danny De Muze in his debut at this level with 27.5, exactly one point ahead of second placed Jason Wood and Nitor on 28.5.
Laura Collett.© ESP Photographic
Having had a win at Thoresby’s CCI4*-S two months ago, Gillian Morris-Adams, Diana Chappell, Carolyn Taylor and Mr and Mrs Smedley’s 16-year-old Dacapo continues his form and leads the TopSpec CCI4*-S class with triple Olympic medallist Laura Collett on 24.8. Mark Davidson and The Round Table Syndicate’s Fonbherna Lancer sits in second by 2.1 points and Laura also has Mrs Lucy Nelson’s 14-year-old mare Hester in third on 27.9. Laura commented on both her rides, “I am very happy with both horses in the CCI4*-S. Dacapo has always loved coming to Bicton and he’s an older horse who knows his job, so it makes my life easier!”
The FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ 2025 will officially get underway tomorrow with five teams set to compete in the dressage arena from 9.00am.
Beyond the sporting action, this year sees an evolution of the attractions on offer with displays on both weekend days from the thrilling Knights of Middle England. There is also a vast array of activities including the hugely popular family dog show on Saturday and Sunday, as well as a display from 2024 Crufts Champion Lorna Hayes with her canine partner Nora.
Join us at Bicton for all the action with tickets available to purchase www.bicton.com and those 12 and under go free. Full entries list and live results can be found at www.eventingscores.co.uk and live action is being streamed by Clip My Horse www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_GB/
