Friday at the NAF Five Star International Hartpury Horse Trials and British Championships saw top-class action and changing leaderboards across the international and championship classes.
Hartpury University and College British Open Championship: Tim Price Out in Front
New Zealand’s Tim Price and Vitali delivered a masterclass in the Hartpury University and College British Open Championship to take a decisive lead on 23.3.
Having won this class in 2024 and recently claimed victory in Aachen, Price continued his formidable form, posting the only sub-25 score of the day. With a rail in hand heading into tomorrow’s showjumping, the competition is firmly in his hands — but the chasing pack won’t be letting him relax. Could history be about to repeat itself?
Fellow Kiwi Samantha Lissington sits in second on 29.3 with Lord Seekonig, while best of the British Katie Magee impressed with Treworra — fresh off their top 15 Badminton result — to claim third on 29.7.
Young British talent Max Warburton and Deerpairc Revelry delivered a stylish performance to sit fourth (31.3), just ahead of Tim Price’s second ride Happy Boy in fifth (32.5), showing the World No. 3 is not short on firepower this weekend.
Further down the order, Zara Tindall and Class Affair are well in touch in eighth (35.0), and Olympic medallist Austin O’Connor rounds out the top ten with his ever reliable 5* campaigner Colorado Blue (35.2). The ever-dangerous Jonelle Price also lurks in 10th on 35.9 with Chilli’s Midnight Star, ensuring the New Zealand contingent remains a formidable force heading into the jumping phases.
NAF Magic CCI4-S: Ros Canter Maintains Her Lead
Reigning Badminton champion Ros Canter and the ever-consistent Lordships Graffalo – long-listed for the European Championships – will retain their dressage lead of 22.4 heading into Saturday’s showjumping and cross country phases after the second day of dressage failed to produce a better score.
While the top of the leaderboard didn’t see a change on Friday, many new names do appear in the top ten after the first phase. Piggy March produced a strong test with MCS Maverick — the 2023 Bramham winner — to secure second place on 25.8.
Defending champion Bubby Upton remains in the hunt with Cola III, currently third on 26.2, and sits fifth with Its Cooley Time (27.2) and ninth on Magic Roundabout IV (29.6), demonstrating her impressive strength in depth.
New Zealand riders are also well represented in the top ten, with Jesse Campbell and Speedwell fourth (26.7) and Clarke Johnstone aboard Rocket Man in sixth (27.3).
The leaderboard remains tight heading into Saturday’s showjumping, immediately followed by the influential cross-country phase, where the true test of stamina and skill will unfold. The stage is set for an exciting climax in this highly competitive section.
NAF Superflex CCI3-L: Alex Hua Tian Edges Ahead
It was a closely fought dressage phase in the NAF Superflex CCI3-L* at the NAF Five Star International Hartpury Horse Trials, with China’s Alex Hua Tian claiming the advantage on Friday aboard the elegant Manjushri with a stylish test scoring 26.9.
The pair showed real poise and polish, fending off fierce competition from some of the sport’s most seasoned names. Pippa Funnell, who had led after dressage on Thursday, sits just behind in second on 27.4 with the experienced Billy Walk On, while Tim Price (NZL) rounds out the top three with Gloire De Marchenval (28.2), owned by Rachel and James Good.
Funnell also holds fifth place on her second ride, Billy Wonder (29.3), proving once again her depth of talent and experience. Meanwhile, Izzy Taylor slotted into fourth aboard the promising Bayaanaat with a score of 29.1, keeping the leaderboard incredibly tight.
This competition is often one of the most competitive classes at Hartpury, and once again looks set for an exciting conclusion over the weekend.
Jump1 British Intermediate Championship: Canter Leads Again
Ros Canter holds the lead in the Jump1 British Intermediate Championship after a beautifully balanced test aboard Silvesters Finesse, scoring 26.2.
Just behind her, Izzy Taylor and SBH Big Wall are breathing down her neck on 26.7, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown in Saturday’s showjumping phase, followed by a decisive cross country on Sunday.
Louise Bradley impressed with Ardeo Mandela, currently in third on 27.4, while Canter also occupies fourth place with Armscote Explorer (27.6), highlighting her impressive strength across multiple rides.
The top five is completed by Katie Magee and Cushlas Indigo on 27.8, with just 1.6 penalties separating the top five combinations. With tight scores continuing through the top ten, even the smallest error in the jumping phases could be decisive.
Fairfax Saddles British Novice Championship: Diamond Mistress Tops the Leaderboard After Dressage
The start of the Fairfax Saddles British Novice Championship saw 22 combinations perform their tests in the Hartpury Arena. Austin O’Connor takes the early lead in style with the 14.3hh pocket rocket Diamond Mistress, scoring an impressive 26.5 to top the leaderboard after the dressage phase.
Proving that great things come in small packages, Diamond Mistress delivered elegance and expression well beyond her size, positioning herself and O’Connor at the top of a highly competitive field of promising horses.
Close behind in second is Durham-based Katie Magee, with Springhead Jupiter on a score of 27.5, while Alicia Hawker and Chocotoffretto Z in third with 29.0.
Magee also occupies fourth place with Newton (29.4), while Ros Canter — already leading the Jump1 British Intermediate Championship and NAF Magic CCI4*S — rounds out the top five aboard Broadstone Lion Man on 29.9.
Just over six penalties separate the top ten in this championship, with more dressage to come on Saturday. This championship looks likely to be a hot competition, having been a stepping stone of future stars in previous years.
