14 September 2017
Germany’s Julia Krajewski has taken pole position at the end of dressage in the CCI3* at the SsangYong Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.
Riding Chipmunk FRH, the 28-year-old scored 33.4, which gives her a 2.3pen lead over Britain’s Pippa Funnell and MGH Grafton Street.
Julia said: “I normally don’t get nervous before dressage, but when you’re right at the end you have time to think about it. This is the highlight of Chipmunk’s season – he was my reserve horse for the Europeans, so he was fittened up for that, and we thought Blenheim would be a good alternative.
“He wants to please and he’s very genuine – if he understands something, he’ll do it.”
The USA’s Kim Severson is in third with 37.8 aboard Cooley Cross Border.
In all, seven riders scored in the 30s, demonstrating the high standard of dressage on display this year.
The international theme was continued in the CIC3* for eight- and nine-year-old horses. After the first day of dressage for this prestigious class, Japan’s Kazuma Tomoto is in first place aboard Brookpark Vikenti with a mark of 40.7.
Kazuma, who has been based with one of Britain’s most successful riders, William Fox-Pitt, for the past three months, admitted that he was “very surprised” to find himself in the lead. A former showjumper who is only in his second season of eventing but who aims to compete at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, he said: “He was a bit tense today in the warm-up but settled down in the arena.
“The cross-country course looks big and tricky – William [Fox-Pitt] said it was easy, but not to me!”
Second is Australian Christopher Burton, who picked up a mark of 42.6 with Cooley Lands. And Oliver Townend, winner of Burghley two weeks ago and a member of Britain’s gold medal-winning team at the recent European Championships, is third on Ridere Dorcha with 43.4.
The competition continues tomorrow with the second day of dressage in the CIC3* for eight- and nine-year-old horses, and the dressage phase of the Event Rider Masters competition.
Irish riders who completed their dressage today:
CCI3*
Jonty and “Art” are the highest placed Irish combination in the CCI3* after dressage
Jonty Evans and Cooley Rorkes Drift – in 8th on 40.0
Ciaran Glynn
Ciaran Glynn and Kilossery Jupiter Rising – 16th on 45.7
Padraig McCarthy and Mr Chunky – 29th on 48.3
Aoife Clarke and Master Rory 34th on 49.1
Ciaran Glynn and November Night 38th on 49.8
Elizabeth Power and Soladoun
Elizabeth Power and Soladoun 42nd on 51.5
Susie Berry
Susie Berry and Carsonstown Athena 54th on 55.0
In the CIC3*:
Cathal Daniels and Sammy Davis Junior 8th on 46.2
Michelle Kenny and Poynstown Will
Michelle Kenny and RLE Poynstown Will 22nd on 53.1
