Over 55,00 spectators enjoyed the fine weather and top class eventing.
Four amazing days were enjoyed by all at the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials where three worthy champions were crowned in nail biting competition with two of the titles staying on British soil and one heading over to Germany. With crowds topping 55,000, it was a huge draw for fans who enjoyed great weather and spectacular action in one of Yorkshire’s best settings.
The event’s showpiece section, the Equi-Trek CCI3* was won by Germany’s Julia Krajewski who was sublime throughout the competition with her ride Chipmunk FRH. The duo claimed victory by a resounding near ten point margin and were the class act of the competition. The podium was an International one with Andrew Nicholson claiming runners up spot with Diana Ridgeon’s Swallow Springs with Australian Bill Levett third on Elisabeth Murdoch’s Lassban Diamond.
Going into the final show jumping on the last day, Julia had a comfortable cushion as she entered the arena but she needed none of her advantage as her ten year old Contendro gelding gave every pole plenty of room for an immaculate clear and the £5,750 first prize and use of an Equi-Trek Sonic horse box for a year.
Fourth spot went to Kitty King who also took the ‘best Brit’ accolade with Vendredi Biats, owned by Samantha Wilson, Sally Eyre and Sally Lloyd-Baker,
Julia reflected. “Today we really hit it on the button and I’m really proud of him today. To finish on such a dressage score with a fit and happy horse is just really, really cool.
“Obviously I’m delighted; the week couldn’t have been any better for me. I love competing in England – the events are so friendly!”
Yorkshire rider Nicola Wilson didn’t enjoy the best trip to Bramham after nearly falling in the water with One Two Many, owned by the Kemps and Janine Shewan. Only Nicola’s supreme balance saved her from a dunking but she retired from the competition, both of them safe and sound.
It was a popular win in the u25 CCI3*, sponsored by British Horse Feeds for the first time, for Emily King who’s been a visitor to Bramham for as long as she can remember after tagging along with mum, Olympic rider Mary. Riding Jane Del Missier’s Dargun, she led from start to finish, adding nothing to her dressage score of 25.5. After her faultless showjumping, a delighted Emily said; “He felt amazing! When I got on him in the warm-up he was bucking and squealing — it helps him with his spring and attention if he’s a bit jolly. He jumped well in the warm-up and carried that through into the ring. The crowd helps him rather than distracting him and the fences were quite spooky here, which helps too. He jumped consistently and was very focused so I couldn’t be happier with him.”
In the British Equestrian Trade Association CIC3* Oxfordshire rider Izzy Taylor made it back to back wins in a close battle with French rider Gwendolen Fer. A score of 24.5 in the dressage put Taylor in second place riding Sophie Dodd’s Be Touchable and a showjump down added a further four penalties which looked like a victory might be out of reach as Fer was clear over the poles with Romantic Love so it was all to play for across the country. Izzy was immaculate and five seconds inside the time to pile the pressure. The experienced French duo set off on a score of 24.1 and posted a foot perfect around the cross country round but were just one second over the optimum time to add 0.4 to her score, matching Izzy. But the title went to Taylor by virtue of a fault free cross country performance.
A delighted Izzy said; “It’s all very exciting; running the cross country in reverse order puts a bit more pressure on us riders which is great. To finish on the same score with one second dividing us is amazing. I was angry with myself that I’d had a fence [in the showjumping] as he has an exceptional record. I’m grateful for the win, he was very professional in all three phases.”
Next year’s dates are 6 – 9 June so make a note in your diary as Bramham will be back.
