It’s nip tuck at the top of the super-hot Olympic longlisted section at Bicton *H&H Plus*

Find out how to first day of dressage competition has unfolded in the super-hot CCI4*-S section at Bicton

China’s Alex Hua Tian put in a stunning performance aboard Don Geniro in the first phase of the CCI4*-S at Bicton International Horse Trials, supported by Chedington, to sit in second place after the first day of competition. The pair scored 21.6 to sit just .6 of a penalty adrift of overnight leaders Laura Collett and London 52.

“He was really good and he was quite zingy too,” said Alex of Pippa Higgins’ 13-year-old after their test. “It’s probably the most atmospheric arena that we’ve had for a couple of years and it was really useful to have this opportunity to have a bit more atmosphere before the Olympic Games.

“I was a bit cross because the announcer spoke for 30 seconds in the middle of my test and that’s something that really affects ‘Don’, and he made a couple of mistakes because of that. But I’m really happy with him — he feels in great nick at the moment.”

Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser and Ros Canter and Allstar B hold equal third place on 23, with Piggy March and Brookfield Inocent in fifth. Kitty King is in sixth with Vendredi Biats on 23.1, while Oliver Townend and Cooley Master Class put in a solid test this afternoon to sit in seventh on 24.

“He’s improving a lot for a 16-year-old and is still getting better,” said Oliver of Angela Hislop’s gelding. “His outline and the way he’s carrying himself is becoming easier and easier to ride.”

Just 4.7 penalties separate the top 10 after day one. Day two of dressage action gets underway at 8.15pm tomorrow morning.

Read the full report from Bicton in the 17 June issue of Horse & Hound magazine and keep checking back to horseandhound.co.uk for further updates and insight

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Gemma Redrup

H&H features, racing and point-to-point editor

Gemma is an experienced journalist, having been part of the H&H team since 2014, who is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at in August 2018. Gemma’s reporting talents have taken her to numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.