The last competitor of the day - 18 year old Emily King, riding Brookleigh - overtook William Fox Pitt to become overnight leader of Blenheim’s CCI3* in an exciting end to day one of dressage at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, finishing with a score of 35.4. 

 

This is only Emily’s first CCI3* and her best dressage score at any international event, “I’m over the moon, he (Brookleigh) keeps his cool and doesn’t get too excited, I knew he could do it.  He felt really in tune with me when we were warming up.

 

“Blenheim is my first horse trials back following a nasty fall a month ago at Bishop Burton in the Junior European Championships.  Fortunately nothing was broken and Brookleigh wasn't injured. He's like a dog and follows me round the stable, but can be a bit too laid back and you need to gee him up a bit’,” said Emily, whose mum Mary is grooming for her this week.

 

William Fox-Pitt lead the field for most of the day with his first ride, 2012 Blenheim CCI3*winner Seacookie. Francis Whittington and Fernhill Highlight had also put in a great effort, finishing with a score of 43.4, which put them in second place at the time; only to be surpassed later by Nicola Wilson and Kiltealy Brief by a very fine margin, on 43.2.

 

There was no movement in the top three places until mid afternoon, when William and his second CCI ride of the day, Freddie Mac, took the lead with a superb score of 38.0 putting him in first and second place, but only for Emily King to snatch the overnight lead from William’s grasp at the very last minute.

 

William was delighted with Freddie Mac and commented: “He’s a much loved horse and this is a big weekend for him”.

 

Australia’s Sam Griffiths, riding Favorit Z, is the overnight leader after the first day of dressage in the CIC3* class for 8 and 9 year old horses on 36.6 penalties; with fellow Aussie, Brook Staples lying second (42.6) and Britain’s Nicola Wilson in third (42.9)

 

Click here for full results after Day One.

 

Click here to listen to interviews with riders from Day One.

 

Dressage continues tomorrow with cross country and show jumping action across the two feature classes on both days of the weekend. E-tickets can still be booked up until midnight the day before and admission tickets will also be available at the gate. Gate prices start from £10 depending on the day; with accompanied under 12s admitted free. For further information and to book tickets visitwww.blenheimhorse.co.uk