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Defender Bramham: Day One

written by Katie Neat

Defender Bramham day one: a new champion crowned and dressage underway 

It’s billed as Thrilling Thursday and today duly lived up to the name here at the at the Defender Bramham International Horse Trials. The sun shone bright, but a keen northerly wind kept the temperatures down to provide perfect conditions for horses and spectators alike.  

NAF Five Star BE80 Championships 

After two days in between the white boards, we crowned our new NAF Five Star BE80 champions after a day of change on the leaderboard that saw well-judged rounds rewarded.  

IMAGE: FIRST CLASS IMAGES

A faultless day of jumping for Leicestershire-based rider Rachel Littlewood and her bay mare Fiancee promoted them one step up to the top of the podium and the 2024 championship accolade, adding nothing to their dressage score of 29.9. An emotional Rachel punched the air as she crossed the finish line of Ian Stark’s cross-country course, before giving her steed a big kiss after realising they’d taken the lead.   

The original plan for ‘Lottie’ this year was to qualify for the Badminton Grassroots Championships, but a slight injury meant Bramham became the focus in order to give the duo the best chance to get back to full fitness. However, coming to Yorkshire with no expectations of doing well made today’s win even more special.  

“It’s been absolutely fantastic, but incredibly nail-biting!” said Rachel after the prize-giving in the Defender Main Arena. “Dressage isn’t our strong point, so when we were second on day one I was overwhelmed with that! I was a little nervous going into today – the showjumps were a little on the small side for us and she’s prone to leaving a leg, but she was absolutely amazing! We had a few hairy moments cross-country, but she was still full of running at the end – I think she could have done it again! To do the lap of honour here has been something out of this world – I was in tears!” 

Second place went to 18-year-old Beth Jones riding Fantasy Chilli, who added nothing to their dressage penalty score of 32.3. It was Deborah Burrell and her own Imperial Tangle who completed the top three on a score of 32.6. 

Defender CCI4*-L 

Reigning European champion Ros Canter heads the leaderboard in the showcase Defender CCI4*-L section, with Lady Milnes Coates and Deirdre Johnston’s MHS Seventeen achieving the only sub-30 score of the day.  The athletic bay, known as Vinnie, was previously piloted by Sara Bowe and Nicola Wilson, but Ros has partnered him for two years. After a slow start to their relationship due to inclement weather and an unsuccessful four-star debut here last year, they’re beginning to forge a true partnership. 

A delighted Ros said; “I’m delighted with MHS Seventeen today. He did a personal best at Bicton and has come out and performed to that quality again. He’s a lovely horse who’s growing in confidence all of the time.” 

In second, it’s last year’s CCI4*-S victors, Selina Miles and the Rucker’s Cooley Snapchat. They were ever-consistent to impress the judges, who all landed on a 67% plus score to give the pair 32.2 penalties. The top three is completed by Olympic-nominated rider Tom Jackson with Plot Twist B, owned by Mary Harris and Ruth McMullen, on 33.5. 

Defender CCI4*-S 

There’s a truly international feel to the top placings in the 83 runner-strong Defender CCI4*-S, with Japan leading and a pair of Irish flags to follow. 

Bramham is being used as a key selection trial for the Japanese team ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games – today marks 50 days until the Opening Ceremony – and there are a selection of leading combinations here to fight for their place. New pairing Ryuzo Kitajima from Japan and Be My Daisy, owned by Riding Club Crane, put in a late challenge to take the lead with a stunning display that featured a number of nines from the judges and a score of 24.7. They dislodged Ireland’s Josephy Murphy, riding his own Calmaro, who stole the lead before lunch with a 27.3. Countryman Austin O’Connor is half a penalty behind on 27.8 with Lesley Rose’s Isazsa. 

An elated Ryuzo commented: “I’m so pleased, so happy! I’ve just started riding her this year and I still have to know more about her. I was relaxed and she was relaxed, so it was good. To build our partnership, I started early this year and took her to Portugal so we could get qualified for Paris. She’s a mare, which can be good or bad, but today she was a princess!” 

Bramham U25 CCI4*-L  

The small but quality field in the Under-25 CCI4*-L got their campaign underway and it’s Britain’s Isabel White who paves the way riding her own Icarus. Their solid performance yielded a penalty score of 36.3 from the Ground Jury of Nick Burton, Angela Tucker and Xavier Le Sauce, who’s officiating at Paris this summer. Second spot is taken by Emma Thomas and The Buzz Factor for owners Pippa Williams and Rebecca Velarde, while Cassie Sanger from the USA sits third with her own Redfield Fyre on 42.4. 

Join us for Fantastic Friday, when the CCI4* dressage reaches its conclusion and we discover who holds the cards ahead of the decisive jumping phases.  

Results and start times on via  www.bit.ly/DefenderBIHT2024timesandresults and full details, including info downloading on the Bramham app, from www.bramham-horse.co.uk  

Keep up to date with us on social media – we’re on, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook so you won’t miss any of the news, updates and event info. 

07/06/2024 0 comment
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EventingInternationalNews

BROMONT GETS UNDERWAY

written by Editor

BROMONT, QC – June 5, 2024  – A total of 82 horses were presented to their respective ground juries across three levels and five divisions at the 2024 MARS Bromont CCI on Wednesday afternoon. All were accepted to move forward to competition, which kicks off in earnest Thursday morning. In true Canadian fashion, there will be 99 horses in total to start, as the CCI4*-S division were not required to present.

Competitors representing five nations (Canada, United States, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand) have made the journey to Bromont, contesting levels from CCI2*-L through CCI4*-L, with U25 sub-divisions for the CCI2*-L and CCI3*-L. Dressage competition will take place on Thursday and Friday; the exciting cross-country and new this year canine activities will take place Saturday and the final phase stadium jumping will take place Sunday to decide who will take home the trophies.

In the CCI3*-L, Diana Burnett (CAN) was briefly sent to the holding area with her own Magic Mint for observation, but was subsequently accepted to move on to competition. No other pairs were held. 

Hayley Frielick (NZL) and Sportsfield Lumiere will contest the CCI3*-L © Michelle Dunn Photo

06/06/2024 0 comment
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EventingInternationalNews

TAMIE SMITH AND MAI BAUM AIMING FOR AUTUMN RETURN

written by Katie Neat

In a statement made via her social media page, Tamie Smith announced that Mai Baum will sadly not be in contention for this years Olympic Games but that his progress and return to form has been moving in a positive direction; with the hope of a return to competition in the Autumn.

“Leading into a much anticipated Olympic Team Selection next week and after deliberating with our team and Mai Baum’s owners, we have decided to withdraw him from team consideration. This was a difficult decision because we have felt Mai Baum would have contributed positively to the Team had he been selected. Since his setback leading into Kentucky, there is not adequate time remaining for preparation and conditioning for him to be in top form for the team mandatory outing in a few short weeks. We are obviously disappointed, but always have his best interest at heart and will be looking to aim him for an exciting fall competition.”

Tamra “Tamie” Smith is a prominent U.S. eventer. She won Gold with the U.S. Eventing Team at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima with Ellen and Alexandra Ahearn and Eric Markell’s German Sport Horse, Mai Baum. In 2021, Smith took Mai Baum to a top-10 finish in his CCI5*-L debut at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event and were later named as reserves for the Tokyo Olympics.

Smith has represented the U.S. in FEI Nations Cup competitions, including the CCIO4*-S at CHIO Aachen with Mai Baum and the CCIO4*-L at Boekelo, both in 2021.

In 2022, she finished ninth at the Badminton Horse Trials, contributed to a U.S. team silver at the FEI Eventing World Championships, and won the Morven Park CCI4*-L.

The following year Tamie and Mai Baum achieved a historic win at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, marking the first U.S. win since 2008.

Representing your country is an honour achieved by very few, but one thing will always take precedence over team selection: the team of you and your horse. We wish Tamie and Mai Baum all the best. Team USA just gained one heck of a cheer squad!

04/06/2024 0 comment
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EventingNews

The Bramham Birthday Buzz builds… 

written by Editor

With football and cricket fever set to grip Britain in the coming days, the 50th anniversary Defender Bramham Horse Trials provides the perfect alternative sporting experience for all. Running 6–9 June at Bramham Park in Yorkshire, the event features top-flight eventing, entertainment for the whole family and a fantastic day out in a stunning setting. It’s our birthday year and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are just a matter of weeks away, so the excitement level – otherwise known as the ‘Bramham buzz’ – is higher than ever.  

The organisers of the Defender Bramham Horse Trials are delighted to announce that HRH The Princess Royal will attend the final day and present the awards to the CCI-L 4 competition on the occasion of the event’s 50th anniversary. The Princess Royal, who competed at Bramham in its inaugural year in 1974, will join the celebrations on Sunday 9 June to watch the final showjumping phase of the competition before awarding the prizes. The Princess Royal is vice president of the event’s chosen charity for 2024, The British Horse Society, and we are honoured to have her in attendance. 

With over 130 entries from an international roster of 10 country flags, it’s a truly quality field this year, with riders from China, South Africa, Ireland, France, The Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Italy, the USA and, of course, Great Britain. The three sections of CCI4* eventing competition – the showcase Defender CCI-L 4*, the Defender CCI-S 4* and the CCI-L U25 4* are littered with riders who class Bramham as a happy hunting ground, with no less than 10 previous winners back for more. 

The entry list also contains seven of the nine British riders currently in line for Olympic selection so it’s a fantastic chance to see these combinations in action before the final team selection is announced in late June. Three of those hopefuls bring forward their potential Games mounts – reigning European Champion Ros Canter has Lordships Graffalo, Olympic gold and silver medallist Tom McEwen rides JL Dublin and European silver medallist Kitty King partners Vendredi Biats. The latter pair were winners at Bramham in 2019, while both Ros and Tom have topped the podium in the past. Reigning U25 British Champion Bubby Upton also features on both the Bramham entry list and the Paris 2024 nominated entry list, as do Emily King, Tom Jackson and Bramham regular Oliver Townend, who originally hails from Huddersfield.  

There’s particularly strong Dutch, Japanese and Irish contingents heading to Yorkshire, who look to have chosen Bramham as a good test ahead of their selection for the Games. 

Other previous winners making a welcome return include Zara Tindall, Izzy Taylor, Alex Hua Tian and Yoshiaki Oiwa. Last year’s CCI4*-S victors, Selina Miles and Cooley Snapchat, are also back, but this time around will be looking for top honours in the CCI-L 4* section. 

Local riders bidding for success at Bramham include Scarborough’s Phil Brown riding Harry Robinson in the CCI-S 4*, Dewsbury’s Kristina Hall-Jackson with hopes to better last year’s 18th place in the CCI-L 4* with Hawk Eye, and Bramham debutant Yarm-based Harrison Colling with Trevi Fountain. 

Alongside the international classes, Bramham is once again delighted to host over 60 of Britian’s ambitious amateurs as they bid to become the NAF Five Star BE80 Champion. The competition has its own dedicated area of the park, while still being an integral feature of the event site, and gives riders from all over the country their very own stage on which to shine. They start with two days of dressage on Tuesday 4 June, before the showjumping and cross-country action – which makes up part of a packed Thursday programme– decides the final placings and crowns a new champion.. 

While 2024 will be very much an event of anniversary celebrations, there will be another huge milestone to mark – the swansong year for course designer Ian Stark, who is retiring after 15 years of masterminding the feature fences and routes for which Bramham is renowned. Anyone that knows Ian will be aware that he wouldn’t want to leave without giving riders and spectators something memorable – and he hasn’t disappointed. Working with skillful course builder David Evans, Ian has set a fantastic test befitting of a birthday year and the perfect sign-off. The route and fences are currently being kept under wraps, but all will be revealed shortly on the CrossCountry App – download the app or visit the website and keep checking! 

As ever, Bramham isn’t just all about eventing. There’s a host of additional equestrian action, shopping galore, delicious eateries – including a dedicated Food Hall – and entertainment for all the family around the site and across our two competition arenas supported by Defender and Top Spec.  

Lunchtime on Thursday shines the spotlight on dressage, with Melissa Chapman and her team doing a dazzling display showcasing all the moves, while Friday will feature a stallion display. The fantastic Kirkborne Spaniels will be in action on Saturday and Sunday with their working dog display, as well as holding scurry and agility sessions for our canine visitors. 

Bramham’s 2024 charity partner, The British Horse Society, will host a road safety demo on Friday. Keeping riders and horses safe on Britain’s roads is a fundamental part of their work, including the ‘Dead Slow’ campaign, so this is a not-to-be-missed session for riders, cyclists and motorists alike. You can also visit them all week on stand 117 to learn more about all the work they do around lobbying, education, welfare and safety. With safety in mind, the on-event St John’s Ambulance team will be running first aid sessions at noon, 13.00 and 14.00 on both Saturday and Sunday – they’re stationed in the first aid area, behind the Secretary’s tent.  

The young-hearted amongst the crowd will want to head to the area below the Top Spec arena, where Fantastic Faces will be offering face painting and rosette making, alongside the trend sweeping the nation, Hobby Horse Adventures. 

Our bustling tradestand village features over 120 outlets for you to browse, sample and buy. There’s something for all tastes, wants and desires – from chutney to china, saddles to scarves, shoes to safaris, there’s plenty of choice. Our clothing partner Joules has created a range to mark our 50th anniversary, which will feature on their stand, number 79, or you can view and order online. Friday night is late shopping evening and you can join us for FREE from 4pm, with shops staying open until 20:00 – what better way to end the working week and get the weekend off to the perfect start.  

NEW for this year is the app, which is the perfect way to have the Defender Bramham Horse Trials lowdown in one place. There’s a version for both iOS and Android and it’s free to download. You can find out what’s on and when, build your own itinerary, navigate the tradestands and receive notifications. The top tip is to download before you arrive! 

Event Director Nicholas Pritchard commented; “The Park has been coming to life over the last few weeks and the Bramham team is currently putting the final touches in place to welcome everyone to our 50th anniversary celebrations. We’ve had good drying weather mixed with showers, with a reasonably dry forecast on the cards, so we’re anticipating the ground to be good. We have a world-class entry, the course is looking superb and the tented village is taking shape, so we’re ready for you!” 

For those who haven’t secured their Bramham tickets yet, prices will rise on Monday 3 June, so there’s only a matter of hours to secure the discount – and don’t forget, British Horse Society members get 25% off on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, too.  Make your arrival smooth and simple by buying your tickets online before you arrive on site. 

There’s a range of ticket options, starting from just £16 – rising to £19 on Monday – for the over-12s. There are weekend and season saver packages, as well as an upgrade to access our arena-side Members’ Area. Don’t forget to pop a commemorative 50th anniversary mug in your online basket, too – they’re limited edition, so don’t miss out!  

If you can’t join us on Saturday for the showcase cross-country, when the riders will tackle Ian Stark’s signature courses, worry not – you can livestream all the action with a subscription via Horse & Country TV. It’s just £5.99 per month, with a discount for British Eventing members, and no contract is required.  

Our website hosts the latest news and ticketing information or follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also sign up to the ‘Bramham Buzz’ digital newsletter – a daily update from the event with news, views and info – completely free! While you can opt out at any time, there will also be post-event news throughout the year and you can get ahead with planning your 2025 Bramham adventure! 

03/06/2024 0 comment
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EventingNews

WILLIAM FOX-PITT TO RETIRE FROM TOP LEVEL COMPETITION

written by Katie Neat

“That’s it for this level. I’m going to do young ones and carry on for a bit, but this is my last Badminton, for sure. There’s no tears and sobbing, I’m very matter of fact about it – it’s the right thing to do.”

We have so much to bring you from this year’s Badminton Horse Trials, including more on Caroline Powell’s sensational win, but we would be remiss not to immediately doff our cap to a one William Fox-Pitt

WILLIAM THE CONQUERER

The first British rider to become Eventing World No 1, Williams’ achievements in our sport cement him as one of the most successful event riders of all time

Representing his country at 5 Olympic Games – winning team Silver at London 2012, team Silver at Athens 2004 and team Bronze at Beijing 2008. Achieving seven team Gold, two individual Silvers and one individual Bronze at European Championships and winner of the HSBC FEI Classics four times (2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014)

The only rider to have won five out of the six CCI5* events worldwide (before the inclusion of Maryland in 2021), having won Burghley (1994, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011), Badminton (2004 & 2015), Luhmuhlen (2008), Kentucky (2010, 2012, 2014) and Pau (2011, 2013)

In 2011 William became the first rider to win a record six Burghley titles (on six different horses) and became one of the first riders to ever win a CCI*, CCI** and CCI*** at the same event on the same day – a feat achieved at Tattersalls

He is the record-man at CCI5*, with 14 grand slam titles and 64 CCI three-day event wins

To you, William Fox-Pitt Eventing

For so many years, you have been at the pinnacle of our sport. Your horsemanship is unparalleled, and it has been a privilege to support and watch you compete. You are the embodiment of discipline, perseverance, and teamwork and the epitome of determination and resilience

Watching you and Grafennacht on course yesterday was to watch a man still very much at the top of his game and a memory we will not forget

We wish you nothing but health and happiness, hoping we may see you out and about with the youngsters and never too far away from our sport, a sport in which you leave a lasting and formidable legacy

With great respect and admiration, Team ET x

12/05/2024 0 comment
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Eventing

GREEN IS QUEEN

written by Katie Neat

You can’t talk about Badminton Horse Trials without mentioning one of the greatest of all time; the iconic Lucinda Green.

A truly illustrious career that includes an unmatched record of six victories at Badminton Horse Trials on six different horses; including back-to-back winners in 1976/77 and 1983/84. Twice winner of Burghley Horse Trials, Team Silver at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and Individual and Team Gold at the 1982 World Championships, alongside multiple European Championships medals and countless Eventing achievements.

Lucinda was just nineteen when she won her first Badminton title on Be Fair in 1973. The chestnut, acquired for her fifteenth birthday, took Lucinda from Pony Club all the way to the first of two European championship titles and her first Olympics in Montreal.

Revered for her attitude, her approach to horses and the grace and elegance she displays in the saddle, Lucinda will always be one of the greatest (and one of our favourites). In a sport that can never be described as simple, Lucinda has always been the epitome of simplicity and flawlessness – understanding perfectly how to bring out the best of herself and her horses; a true embodiment of fitness and finesse.

The quintessential Queen of Eventing.

08/05/2024 0 comment
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EventingNews

Leading Contender withdraws from the MARS Badminton Horse Trials

written by Katie Neat

News from Badminton leading contender Oliver Townend (Official)

“Absolutely gutted to withdraw Ballaghmor Class from this week’s MARS Badminton Horse Trials. He had a abscess earlier in the season and consequently missed a couple of runs and gallops. This morning he went for his final gallop and with the 11.5 mins cross country course combined with the possible soft ground we don’t feel he’s at his normal 5* fitness right now. This is the first time in his career he’s missed a 5* and with the ROLEX Grand Slam of Eventing being at stake (for the 3rd time for me!) and Thomas’s record with 10 top-5 placings at 5*, 4 of which are from Badminton including twice 2nd place, and his 3 wins at Burghley and Kentucky, we really hoped he would finally get the Badminton trophy he so badly deserves.

He’s fit and well, and knowing his huge heart he’d give us his all, but it’s simply not in his best interest to run this week and his welfare is our top priority.

Thomas will be rerouted to plan B but for now we’d like to give a huge thanks to his owners, our sponsors and our team who are all equally gutted but support us to make this call to look after our superstar.”

Event Director Jane Tuckwell commented “we are all devastated for Oliver and highly respect his decision not to run. We look forward to welcoming Oliver and Thomas back to Badminton in 2025.”

07/05/2024 0 comment
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Eventing

IRON MAN

written by Editor

Sir Mark Todd (NZL) is synonymous with Badminton Horse Trials.

In 1980, Mark became the first debutante to win Badminton since Richard Walker in 1969. In 45th position after dressage, he piloted Southern Comfort III to an unexpected victory thanks to superb jumping rounds; they were one of only three cross country completions within optimum time.

Just a few months after finishing runner up at Badminton to Lucinda Green and Beagle Bay, Mark and the great Charisma would take home individual gold at the 1984 Olympic Games. They would repeat this remarkable feat and become back to back gold medalists at the 1988 Olympic Games.

By complete chance, Mark would win his second Badminton title in 1994 with Horton Point. Lynne Bevan handed Mark the reins, and the number one drawn entry, after breaking her collar bone at Bicton the prior weekend. In second after dressage, they moved into the lead after a flawless cross country round before topping off a truly remarkable feat with a clear show jumping round.

As if Badminton wasn’t hard enough a test, Mark would complete the majority of the 1995 cross country test with one stirrup on board Bertie Blunt. No such issues the following year when they returned and took home the Badminton title; a third for Mark.

Having been retired, Sir Mark had the comeback of all comebacks, lifting the trophy for the fourth time with NZB Land Vision in 2011 and solidifying his Badminton legacy.

06/05/2024 0 comment
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Eventing

THE COMEBACK KIDS

written by Katie Neat

I will never forget the unexplained feeling of dread that came over me during Hopetoun Horse Trials in June of 2015. It was seeing a W next to Ben Hobday‘s entries. Something wasn’t right.

A few weeks later, Ben revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer (Burkitts Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma). As expected, the Eventing community rallied and showed their support and Ben began treatment to kick cancers a**e.

Ben completed chemotherapy in the September and, against all the odds, he competed in his first three-star since diagnosis the following Spring. Through the tears, I had the biggest smile on my face when I saw Ben in the warm-up arena at Burgham Horse Trials. It was such an amazing sight to see him looking healthy and back in the saddle, doing what he loved.

Two months later, just shy of a year since we knew of Bens diagnosis, he jumped a double clear at Badminton Horse Trials with the beloved V8 Supercob Mulrys Error.

Never have we heard the crowd cheer so loud and never have we been so grateful of a Badminton completion as we were with Ben and the part-Clydesdale gelding who stole all our hearts.

03/05/2024 0 comment
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Eventing

AN ABSOLUTE CLASSIC

written by Katie Neat

“Lady Luck” shone down on Badminton Horse Trials in 2018, when Jonelle Price (NZL) became the first woman to win the event since Lucinda Fredericks (AUS) triumphed with Headley Britannia in 2007.

Just ten months after the birth of her first child, Jonelle rode one of the most epic cross country rounds we have ever seen; onboard Classic Moet.

The pair were in 22nd place after Dressage but stormed round a tough Badminton course to come home with the quickest round of the day and just 0.4-time penalties.

Oliver Townend was right on her heels, having won Burghley and Kentucky, he was now aiming for a Badminton win to complete the Rolex Grand Slam. However, Jonelle and Molly would again jump clear and they claimed their first five-star win!

Molly retired in 2022 at the age of nineteen. The Badminton “Queen of Speed”, also notched up three top-five finishes at Burghley and won the British Open at Gatcombe during her illustrious career.

02/05/2024 0 comment
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