Norfolk riders had a successful first day at the Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International.
Twenty-year-old Indie Vaughan-Jones had four rides, and went home with four top-10 rosettes, including a win on Cool Blue.
'Cool Blue was bred by his owner, Annie Borrett, and this was the mare's first run at BE100 level,' said a delighted Indie. 'The new cross country course rode really well, it was great to have different questions, although the water jump was quite tough, and there was a big table fence which surprised her a bit, but she will undoubtedly have learnt a lot today.'
Two of Indie's other rides had been bought unseen, Cool Choice as two-year-old from Newmarket.
'She was wild when she arrived, but only cost me £1. Cuffesgrange Diamond Echo came over from Ireland and finished second today. I bought both when mum was on holiday – she just came home to find them in the field!'
Indie, who used to work for British team gold medallist Ros Canter, is in her last year of Young Riders and will be targeting her top horse, Quob Dynamic, at selection for this year's championship. Failing that, she hopes to step up to Three Star level by the end of the season.
Fellow Norfolk rider, 16-year-old Alice Casburn, finished third and sixth in the Under 18 section. Higher-placed Raediant Rubi was a gift, whilst her second ride Rally is a home-bred. A student at Reepham High School, Alice would love to ride professionally – but has GCSEs to negotiate.
James Sommerville, Bosco Turner and Emma Corner claimed the remaining BE100 sections.
The 'novice' competitors – a misleading term, as the fences they jump are 1.10m as opposed to 1m for BE100 level – were also in action. Canter claimed a win of her own, riding Lordships Graffalo. Jane Riley took the top spot in the second section riding Sam Spade, with Nicola Wilson and Beltane Queen victorious in the Open Novice.
British ladies dominated the headline Three Star class at the end of the first day of dressage. Pippa Funnell is first and fourth on Billy Beware and MGH Grafton Street respectively, with European bronze medallists Nicola Wilson and Bulana second.
Oliver Townend and Coldplay III have a narrow lead in the Two Star, ahead of Ireland's Aoife Clarke on Calling Card, but there is still all to play for on Friday. The dressage action starts at 8.30am, showjumping at 8.45am and cross country at 9.30am.
Got to www.musketeer.co.uk.
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