More than 300 starters took Weston Park horse trials in Shropshire into the record books as the largest three day event ever staged in the world and this despite torrential rain that threatened to disrupt the event.
The steeplechase was shortened due to the going and the roads and tracks and one loop of the cross country had to be rerouted after a Forestry Fair left one of the fields unusable.
The CCI** winners were John Marsden (Rushton Renown), Julie Robinson (Just Dominic) and Sarah Cutteridge (Spicy Lady),Tiger Lily ridden by Leonard Goerens took the CCI* and Hayley Rose (Absolutely Abby) the JRN Championships with the North winning the team title.
Sadly two horses died of suspected heart attacks, Jennifer Alner’s Rumble just after finishing and Nicola Chappel’s Lucky Cid out on the course.
Two riders were also hurt ironicallyboth in falls on the steeplechase , Georgina Davies breaking her leg and Olympic longlisted riderCaroline Pratt chipping her collar bone.
For further details, see full report in Horse & Hound (12 October)
