Izzy Taylor set herself up for her 2nd CCI3* win in as many weeks with an outstanding dressage test in the flagship class at the Equi-Trek Bramham Horse Trials today.
Having ridden Allercombe Ellie to victory at Tattersalls last weekend, this morning she piloted the chestnut Orlando to score a remarkable 28.1, the equivalent of 81.28%.
The 13-year-old by Corland belongs to Di Davies, Irene Graham and Anita Dalton and Izzy took over the ride last year.
“For me that score is a personal best by quite a long way. 28 doesn’t register in my brain — that’s like what I get in an intermediate!” said Izzy, who scored a 10 for her riding from Sue Baxter at H. “He’s an attractive horse with 3 good paces and I was hoping for something like what I got at Chatsworth [37.5] building up to this.”
Izzy is 10.4 penalties ahead of yesterday’s leader Karin Donckers, who now holds 2nd for Belgium on Lamicell Unique. The 10-year-old chestnut mare, by the 2010 individual world showjumping champion Vigo D’Arsouilles, is owned by the rider’s parents Victor Donkers and Lea Sterkens.
Pippa Funnell lies 3rd on 39.6 after Carol Toliver’s Or Noir De La Loge did 1 of his best tests.
“I dared myself a bit more, but I’d have to dare myself a lot more get in the 20s [like Izzy],” she joked afterwards.
Mark Todd holds 4th on NZB Campino — who the New Zealander said did not relish the slightly tacky ground in the main arena — and 5th on Amacuzzi.
The main arena held up well after rain earlier in the week and the ground around the site has been drying fast in today’s sunshine.
CIC3*
In the British Equestrian Trade Association CIC3*, the top 3 from yesterday did not change during the last batch of tests this morning.
As in the CCI3*, the leader has a big lead, with William Fox-Pitt out in front on 31.5 with Christopher Stone’s European bronze medallist Chilli Morning, who has won the CCI3* here the past 2 years.
Oliver Townend is 2nd on Black Tie II on 43.1, with Emily King 3rd riding Mr Hiho 0.9 of a penalty behind.
Today’s best rider in the CIC3* was Zara Phillips, facing her biggest competition since the birth of her daughter Mia. She slotted into equal 5th with 44.8 on Gleadhill House Stud’s 2012 silver medallist High Kingdom.
Under-25 CCI3*
Dani Evans led the dressage in the Bishop Burton College under-25 CCI3*, riding Vanessa Watson’s Raphael II, who she rode into 2nd place in the class last year.
“He’s quite established in the 3-star test now, which is nice as I can ride more forward. I’m quite embarrassed I made a mistake,” said Dani, who turned the wrong way at C after her right half-pass.
Nevertheless, her score of 37.3 puts her 6.9 penalties ahead of Wills Oakden (Greystone Midnight Melody). Lydia Hannon holds third with My Royal Touch with 47.3.
The riders face a typically challenging Ian Stark track on tomorrow’s cross-country day.
Log back on for more news from Bramham over the weekend. Full report in next week’s magazine, out 12 June.
