There were three significant losses from the top ten overnight at Windsor, going into the final show jumping phase.
Cressida Clague Reading, who was lying in first place for most of yesterday until Polly Williamson knocked her off the top spot, withdrew James before the final trot-up this morning. Good news for Frenchman Franck Bourny, who moves up into second place. Polly Williamson has more than a fence in hand over her nearest rivals now however, her lead strengthened with the loss of Cressida.
Other shock losses were youngster Louisa Brassey’s Plantagenet of Rushall, who was failed at the trot-up. Very bad luck for the duo who had been having an awesome weekend, winning the young event riders show jumping on Thursday, and faring well in the dressage and cross country of the CCI**.
Louisa had been lying sixth, but in fact Gemma Tattersall, who was lying seventh on Balfern Milly Molly Mandy withdrew before the trot-up this morning. British riders Kristina Cook and Leslie Law move up into fifth and sixth spots with their respective rides, while Nicola Tweddle, Tristram Owers and Bryony Robinson sneak into the top twenty show jumping competition, which takes place later today.
The Team Challenge is all set to go on a shortened cross-country course. The Americas, lying in fourth place, are first to go, with Australasia last. It is a battle of the big guns through and through, and with only one point separating Australasia and Great Britain, the atmosphere is likely to be competitive.
Revised CCI** placings:
1. Wicked Time (Polly Williamson) 42.8
2. Belmont on the Road (Franck Bourny FRA) 46.6
3. Birthday Night (William Fox Pitt) 49.0
4. Flurry Knox V (Isabelle Taylor) 50.0
5. First Flight II (Kristina Cook) 50.8
6. Arctic Fox Too (Leslie Law) 51.8
7. Next Tuesday (Polly Stockton) 52.0
8. Ilroad (Rodney Powell) 52.0
9. Bally Blaze Away (Helen Cole) 53.2
10. Watch It (Simon Lawrance) 53.6
