Pencos Crown Jewel gleams in the sunshine on first day of dressage
11 Aug 2022 | Eventing | Showjumping | Dressage | European Championships |
Photo: Topshots Photography (Ros Canter and Pencos Crown Jewel)
The first day of dressage at the NAF Five Star International Hartpury Horse Trials saw a number of eye-catching performances with several promising combinations opening their account across all three levels of competition.
In the NAF Magic CCI4*S competition, Rosalind Canter put in a superb performance with Annie Makin and Kate James' Pencos Crown Jewel, leading after day one with a score of 27.5. The event is the first for the Jumbo-sired mare since finishing in 2nd place in the CCI4*L at Bramham Horse Trials in June. They'll start cross country at 11:50 on Saturday. Ros will be in action with her second ride, Lordships Graffalo, a highly anticipated appearance for the pair following an outstanding performance at Badminton in May.
Japanese riders enjoyed an outstanding day in the first phase and hold four of the top ten spots. Kazuma Tomoto holds 2nd and 3rd place with Brookpark Viventi (28.6) and Vinci De La Vigne JRA (29.6).
Several combinations have entries for Burghley next month and Tom McEwen with Toledo De Kerser are the favourites with Kitty King's Vendredi Biats the only former Hartpury CCI4*S winner in the field.
In the NAF Superflex CCI3*L Alex Hua Tian and Jilsonne Van Bareelhof leads after the first day of dressage with a score of 25.4. They'll head out onto the cross country at 15:24 on Saturday.
Tom Woodward made the most of the cool surroundings of Hartpury's indoor arena with a stellar test aboard Low Moor Lucky that earned a score of 26.2 and has him in 2nd place. Ellie Fredericks, daughter of Lucinda Fredericks, put in a good performance too with a score of 30.3 that has her mount, Pure Trendsetter, in third place.
The NAF Magic CCI2*L basked in the intense Gloucestershire sun sharing the limelight with the 4* combinations. Jason Wood and Nitor, a horse owned by Charles and Alexandra Lloyd, put in a solid performance on the first day with a 28.9 score setting the standard. Eneya Jenkins and Sankro lie in 2nd place with 30.
Dressage continues on Friday ahead of the jumping phases starting early on Saturday.
Event organisers and officials have made several changes for cross country day (Saturday) in anticipation of further hot temperatures. The courses have been slightly shortened, water and cooling facilities will be available at the finish and cross country will start at 7.30am.
Watch all the action unfold via Horse & Country TV or follow results and times via Eventing Scores.
