Pippa Funnell holds the lead at the end of the Chedington Bicton Horse Trials dressage after scoring 23.9 with Billy Walk On.
Nicholas and Barbara Walkinshaw’s 12-year-old is a tall, rangey, elegant horse and he put in a super test, combining power and an open frame. He gained the only 10 of the competition, given by ground jury president Andrew Bennie for his entry.
“I was really delighted with him, because he is a good boy and he’s been pretty consistent in his tests and often I have just one little blip somewhere. Normally it’s in a flying change or something,” said Pippa.
“He’s a big, long horse and quite a lot to keep together, but he’s getting stronger and he was really good today.”
Pippa said she has had to judge carefully how much work to give Billy Walk On this week.
“He was bright in the trot-up and because he’s quite big, you could do too much work with him and make him a bit tired,” she said. “I thought yesterday that I’d been under-doing the work in the past week – because he’s had so much fitness work, I just backed off him a bit at the beginning of this week.
“Then yesterday he was fresh and tricky and I did quite a bit with him yesterday and again this morning. Then I just held my nerve and kept him walking, because as soon as he came out this afternoon, he felt on it and with me and I thought, ‘I’m not going to ask too much, it’s got to be in there, not outside’ – and luckily it was.”
Piggy March and Vanir Kamira sit second overnight after the Bicton Horse Trials dressage, with five-star first-timer Will Rawlin holding third on VIP Vinnie.
You might also be interested in:
Badminton winner takes Bicton five-star lead, plus mare known as ‘Miss Health And Safety’ shines
‘I’ve never seen that before’: riders react to the Bicton five-star cross-country track
Five-star first-timer moves into second at Bicton: ‘To have two mistakes and still be in this position is unbelievable’
How to watch Bicton CCI5* Horse Trials: your essential guide
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.