Kai Rüder retained his overnight lead to land Bramham’s CCI*** with the impressive nine-year-old Saaten Unions Charly Weld.
Kai could not afford either a rail down or a time penalty to win the title, but his ride, the former Le Lion D’Angers seven-year-old champion, never looked like touching a pole, putting feet between himself and the fences.
“It’s very special to come here and win. This is my first victory in Britain, so I’m very happy,” he said. “My horse felt very relaxed in the showjumping. [German team trainer] Chris Bartle had been helping me and I was quite confident before I went in that he would jump well.”
The top five places remained unchanged overnight and Polly Stockton retained second place with Regulus, while Oliver Townend claimed third with Neo Du Breuil.
“He’s a good old boy,” said Polly. “He’s not always been the most reliable in the showjumping, but he recovered really well after yesterday and was on great form in there.”
This was a best Bramham placing for Oliver, who rates Neo Du Breuil highly.
“Anything that jumped well round the cross-country country yesterday is well on its way to four-star. I wouldn’t rule out Burghley or Pau for this horse,” he said.
Dunning takes under-25 crown
Helen Dunning became the new British Under-25 National Champion when she kept a cool head to jump a final day clear on Keep Your Options Open.
Lying second overnight, Helen notched up just two time penalties in the final phase to overtake overnight leaders Camilla Speirs and Portersize Just A Jiff, who lowered a rail and dropped to second.
“I came here hoping we would go well, but to win is incredible,” said Helen, who has had the ride on her trainer, Ewart Woolley’s gelding since summer last year. “We have shared the ride on him until this point, but the aim now is for me to carry on and do young riders with him.”
Third place went to Paul Sims and Power Of Dreams, last year’s British Intermediate Championship runners-up.
“This is the toughest test he’s faced, but he’s a very good cross-country horse and never gave me an anxious moment,” said Paul.
CCI*** final results
1. Kai Rüder on Saaten Unions Charly Weld (GER) 42
2. Polly Stockton on Regulus (GBR) 42.8
3. Oliver Townend on Neo Du Breuil (GB) 45
4. Sarah Cohen on Treason (GB) 45.6
5. Clea Phillipps on Lead The Way (GB) 45.8
6. Nicola Wilson on Bee Diplomatic (GB) 45.8
Under-25 CCI*** final results
1. Helen Dunning on Keep Your Options Open (GB) 48.2
2. Camilla Speirs on Portersize Just A Jiff (IRL) 50
3. Paul Sims on Power Of Dreams (GB) 51.2
4. Emily Llewellyn on Junior II (BG) 52.8
5. Ben Hobday on Uptons Who (GB) 53.4
6. Charlotte Agnew on Out Of Africa Two (GB) 55.6
