Shane Rose and CP Qualified (pictured here at a previous event) are just 0.1 penalties off the lead following the dressage.

© Arnd Bronkhorst

The CIC3* Event Rider Masters (ERM) class at Blenheim is tight at the top after the dressage phase...

Shane Rose (AUS) and CP Qualified sit just 0.1 of a mark behind the dressage leaders, Izzy Taylor and Be Touchable, on a score of 35.8. This weekend Rose will be aiming for back to back ERM wins, after he topped the podium at leg 6 at Blair Castle last month.

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Commenting on his intent to shake up the final series standings, Rose said:

“I am a competitive person, we came here to do well and I am going to try to do just that. At the start of the season we were just getting ready so had a slow start, but it’s now time to catch up. CP Qualified likes this type of ground and I think the cross country course will suit him tomorrow. He feels fit and ready to run”.

China’s Alex Hua-Tian, riding Don Geniro, is another combination to previously win an ERM leg. The popular partnership lies in third place, scoring 36.4.

Hua-Tian commented:

 “I can’t tell you how happy I am with Don Geniro.  We have had a cold season with him, he has so much potential but has been frustrating. Today was the first time this year that I started the dressage with Don and thought we are on and I felt I could ride him through the test, rather than defensively.  I am delighted”.

Also challenging for a place on the overall series podium is the 2016 ERM champion Oliver Townend (GBR), who sits in fourth place with Cooley Master Class on a score of 38.3. Tim Price (NZL) and Ascona M is in fifth scoring 38.6, with Sir Mark Todd, currently third in the series, and Kiltubrid Rhapsody in fourteenth on a score of 43.6.  Sarah Cohen (GBR) and Treason, who can finish no worse than third in the overall series, lies in fifteenth on a score of 43.8.  

Source: ERM website

Australia’s Chris Burton is also within striking distance in the CIC3* ERM class. Chris and Graf Liberty are in =7th on 39.4 penalties. Bill Levett and Shannondale Titan are in 10th on 41.0, while Sammi Birch and Hunter Valley II are in 17th on 44.3.

Germany’s Julia Krajewski and Chipmunk FRH lead the CCI3* on 33.4. In the CIC3* 8 & 9 year old horses, Japan’s Kazuma Tomoto and Brookpark Vikenti (40.7) lead ahead of Chris Burton and Cooley Lands (=2nd on 42.6). Emma McNab and Fernhill Tabasco sit in 6th place on 44.1. 

SEE THE FULL RESULTS HERE

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