Friday, September 12, 2014 - 19:15

Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials

11-14 September 2014

CCI3* 

Australia's Andrew Hoy and Cheeky Calimbo have now taken pole position in the top CCI3* class at The Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (from yesterday’s overnight leader, Emily King) with a score of 34.0.  With the dressage phase completed, riders move on to cross country tomorrow.

‘It’s a matter of maintaining the score now.  I’ve set myself a bench mark to win this event and I think I’ll have to finish on that score to win, so tomorrow is going to be a big test. There are some big fences on the cross country course.  People think that Blenheim is flat but it’s not and I think it will be difficult to get the time,’ commented Andrew.

Emily King and Brookleigh retained their second position with their Thursday score of 35.4, whilst William Fox-Pitt slipped into third place shortly after lunch on last year’s CIC3* winner Fernhill Pimms.

‘It’s his first big one this year and he’s had a quiet season, he was superb here in the 8 and 9 year old last year, he’s a very sensible horse, plenty of presence, he really did a super test and now the pressure’s on.”

CIC3*

Hoy's fellow countryman, Sam Griffiths retained his lead from yesterday in Blenheim's CIC3* 8 and 9 year old Championship today, but there was movement lower down the leader board. At first the Fenchman, Thomas Carlile and Sirocco du Gers went into second place with a score of 41.4 only to be relegated to third place later in the day by Tim Lips and Bayro, who finished with a score of 39.3.

‘We’re absolutely thrilled to be in the lead. I’ve been working really hard with Gareth Hughes, my trainer, and this is an event we’ve targeted for quite a while.  Now I’m in the lead I want to stay in the lead, but there are some great riders behind me so it’s not going to be easy. Dressage is this horse’s strongest phase.  He has the ability but would have to go well,’ commented Sam.

Source: Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials