Five-time Olympian Ian Stark travelled down to the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials to promote British Eventing’s new charity, the British Eventing Support Trust, which aims to help riders who are struggling after injury or mental-health problems.
Ian, a three-time Badminton winner, multi-medalled member of the British team for 16 years and now a course-designer, is chairman of the British Eventing Support Trust, for which trustees include former eventer and thoroughbred breeder Lady Lloyd Webber and businessman Mark Sartori, owner of Izzy Taylor’s European championship ride.
Britain’s Olympic gold medal trio, Oliver Townend, Tom McEwen and Laura Collett, who credits the Injured Jockeys Fund’s (IJF) rehabilitation centre at Oaksey House with getting her back to fitness after a serious fall, are also giving the charity their backing and a series of fund-raising events are planned for 2022.
“It’s important to look after our own and we can definitely do more,” said Ian. “The charity will be purely to support riders, whether that be for referrals, including for mental health, or for sending them to one of the IJF centres for rehabilitation after injury.
“We’re now much more aware of mental-health issues these days and we want riders to be able to ask us for help, and that includes riders from any nation that are members of BE. The IJF has set a high standard in racing and it’s important that we raise our game.”
The charity will also be working with Riders Minds, an online resource and helpline founded by the late event rider Matthew Wright.
Further information can be found on www.britisheventing.com
Piggy March produced the cross-country round of the day to take the lead in the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials after an exciting day in which the cream rose to the top and a bumper crowd basked in the sunshine.
The scene is set for a thrilling finale tomorrow, as Piggy and Trevor Dicken’s gallant mare Vanir Kamira have no margin for error over Gemma Tattersall and Chilli Knight in second place or third-placed Pippa Funnell on the long-striding Billy Walk On.
World champion Ros Canter had a brilliant first five-star ride on Pencos Crown Jewel to lie fourth going into the final showjumping phase and OIiver Townend is in fifth place on Tregilder despite incurring a frustrating 11 penalties for triggering a MIM safety clip.
Piggy was fulsome in her praise of her bold mare. “She puts her snout down and off she goes. She’s all heart and guts. That track was by far the hardest terrain I’ve ridden, but it was probably made for her.”
Captain Mark Phillips awarded the 2TheBarn Horsemanship Award to Piggy; this award was created in conjunction with Event Director Andrew Fell and FEI Rider Representative William Fox-Pitt to reward the rider who, in the opinion of the course-designer, had demonstrated good judgement and intelligent riding.
Gemma Tattersall has fulfilled every eventer’s dream of knowing a horse from foal to five-star: she was there when Chilli Knight (“Alfie”) was born and, at Bicton, she was the first rider to finish inside the optimum time of 11 minutes 16 seconds. “It’s just the biggest relief and elation. He’s now become one of the best cross-country horses in the world. He feels like a little pony at home, but on the cross-country he turns into a lion.”
Pippa Funnell was the only rider to complete on two horses — she is eighth on Majas Hope having lost time when getting tangled up in string. The 52-year-old admitted she was wondering if this would be her last five-star, but a brilliant day has reinvigorated her and she described her round on Billy Walk On as one of the best rides of her career.
“I’m elated,” she said. “He’s not the fastest horse but my horses do a lot of hillwork in the Surrey Hills and it was nice to come here knowing that your horse is fit enough for you to ask the questions. I really enjoyed it. I came here thinking I should retire, but I’ve had a really good time. Bicton has put on an outstanding event and it has been so lovely to have crowds again.”
Nineteen of the 31 cross-country starters completed with 12 penalty-free rounds — four riders triggered a MIM clip —and three achieved the optimum time. Richard Jones rose impressively up the order to sixth place with a good clear for 8.8 time penalties. Padraig McCarthy was the first rider around clear, on the elegant grey HHS Noble Call, and is now seventh.
“We have all enjoyed watching the top-class action at Bicton Park today,” said Event Director Andrew Fell. “The course lived up to its expectations and was a true and fair five-star cross-country test over Captain Mark Phillips’ course. It will be a worthy winner that takes home the trophy tomorrow.”
The first horse inspection is scheduled for 9.00am tomorrow and the showjumping phase at 1.30pm. Follow the action with live scores on www.eventingscores.co.uk and livestreaming on www.horseandcountry.tv/eliteeventing
The three members of the ground jury at a three-day event will often pass unnoticed by most, save for comments about dressage judging or other crucial decisions and judgements they may have to make during the competition. They are unpaid, save for expenses, but, like other FEI officials, undertake rigorous training to ensure they preside over a fair competition, have their ‘eye’ in and are up-to-speed with rules.
Andrew Bennie, president of the ground jury at the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials, is one of very few to have both ridden and judged at Olympic level, as well as coaching to Paralympic level.
He trained as an electrician in his native New Zealand, but has been based in Britain for many years, competing regularly at five-star and championship level and winning team bronze at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
Andrew has judged at every CCI5* in the world except Adelaide, plus the Rio Olympics, Tryon World Equestrian Games and will be presiding over the forthcoming European Championships in Avenches, Switzerland. He stopped competing internationally in 2007 but says: “Sometimes, I think I would still like to be doing it – if I had the right horse, I like to think that I would still be brave enough.”
Jane Tolley, the British judge, comes from a racing background, worked for British Airways and then, with her late husband, David, ran an eventing yard, owning such top horses as Merillion and Hinnegar, ridden by Andrew Nicholson and Matt Ryan. She has judged all over the world, from Eastern Europe to India, as well as at Badminton and Burghley, and is a regular national judge of dressage.
“I love seeing the horses through from when they trot up on the Wednesday afternoon through to the very end on Sunday afternoon – it’s absolutely fascinating, and wonderful to see horses improve and grow from season to season.”
Seppo Laine runs a stud and cattle farm in Finland, running national equestrian competitions. He competed up to 4* level for many years, has worked for the Finnish federation and started judging in 1999.
“We get to see the best in the world, both horses and riders, and meet some lovely people — eventing is like a big family,” he says. “I am always interested in how riders work and train their horses and to see the result of their hard work.”
It’s unusual nowadays for riders competing at five-star level to juggle it with a mainstream occupation, but two international visitors to the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials are doing just that.
Sweden’s Malin Josefsson, the only rider from Continental Europe, is a vet and Irish rider Sarah Dowley is a radiation therapist at the Hillman Cancer Centre in Waterford.
Malin scored 35.4 on Golden Midnight in the dressage. “I really, really wanted to do another five-star with this horse [following Badminton 2019 where they were 25th] and when I couldn’t get him to the Olympics, I decided to come to Bicton,” she explained.
She describes her family background as “more animals generally than horses”. “We used to breed sheep, but I wanted to ride so we switched to breeding horses,” she revealed. “We also breed German Shepherd dogs.”
Malin has trained for 15 years with Piia Pantsu, Finland’s most successful rider and a runner-up at Badminton in 2002.
Sarah scored 34.0 on the 18hh Rubix Kube, her first horse who she has been competing internationally for 10 years, having originally been bought for her father as a “happy hacker”. She says she wouldn’t be able to manage without the help of her parents.
Bicton is her CCI5* debut. “This weekend is something to enjoy. I’m on my holidays and want to enjoy it. This is going to be a big step for me.”
Malin Josefsson & Golden Midnight
Sarah Dowley & Rubix Kube
The best was saved until last when Pippa Funnell, the penultimate rider in the Chedington Bicton 5* Horse Trials, rode into the lead on Nick and Barbara Walkinshaw’s majestic Billy Walk On with a mark of 23.9. She holds a 1.6-penalty advantage over her great friend Piggy March and the feisty little mare Vanir Kamira.
Will Rawlin, 27, finds himself in elevated company, having produced a brilliant performance on his CCI5* debut, riding VIP Vinnie, a handsome 13-year-old Hanoverian, to score 25.6. “It’s amazing to be in this place at the moment, but my main aim is to get around my first five-star,” he said modestly. “I’m not expecting to be in this position on Sunday.”
While Will is at the start of his international career, Piggy and Pippa won the last two CCI5*s on British soil: Badminton and Burghley respectively in 2019. “Billy Walk On is a wonderful horse and I am delighted with him,” said Pippa, who earned a 10 for her final halt from ground jury president Andrew Bennie.
“It’s brilliant that Bicton has put on this five-star for us. It takes so many years to get a horse to this stage and we’ve lost two years in the pandemic, so we’re just very pleased to be here.”
Vanir Kamira is a horse that tends to shine on the big stage, so it has been a particularly truncated two seasons for her, as Piggy explained: “It’s such a fine line with her – she has a delicate temperament. She feels pretty ordinary at one-day events and then she rises to the big occasion. Today it feels as if our sport is back.”
Izzy Taylor has had an interrupted summer with a broken collarbone, but she conjured an elegant test from the handsome grey Fonbherna Lancer and completes a British top four. New Zealander Tim Price, who led at the halfway stage, is now fifth on Ringwood Sky Boy, but scores are tightly packed and the cost of one cross-country mistake covers the top 20 horses.
Tim Downes, a judge and trainer who was commentating for Horse & Country TV and watched every horse, praised the overall standard of riding. “What stood out was the consistent quality,” he said. “All the riders knew how to rebalance their horses, put errors behind them and correct their mistakes. Riders were on top of their game.”
Riders are looking forward to tomorrow’s cross-country phase, which starts at 12 noon, with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. “It’s big, meaty and I love it,” said Tim Price.
“The first day of competition at Bicton Park has come to a close and what a day it has been!” said Event Director Andrew Fell. “We have witnessed some stunning tests from competitors in the TopSpec Main Arena.”
Follow the action with live scoring on www.eventingscores.co.uk, or livestreaming on Horse & Country (www.horseandcountry.tv/en-us/pay-per-view/eliteeventing). Spectator tickets are available (www.bicton-arena.co.uk).
Tim Price, the world number two in eventing, marked his 50th start at five-star level by taking an early dressage lead at the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials in Devon. He scored 26.7 on Ringwood Sky Boy, at 18 the oldest horse in the field, to lead proceedings at the lunch break.
“I’m super proud of him, especially as he’s not really a dressage horse,” said the New Zealand Olympian of his 2018 Burghley winner. “He’s a credit to himself and he doesn’t owe us anything now.”
Two vastly experienced British riders, both multiple five-star winners, are in second and third places at this stage. William Fox-Pitt is just 0.3 behind Tim in second place on Oratorio with a mark of 27.0 and Pippa Funnell is third on Majas Hope with 27.4.
Gemma Tattersall, fourth before lunch, was overcome by emotion after her test on Chilli Knight, a son of William’s 2015 Badminton winner, Chilli Morning. “I produced this horse myself from the beginning and it’s as if he’s saying ‘Mummy, I’m doing my best’,” she explained tearfully.
Gemma is tipped by data analysts EquiRratings as a favourite to win her first CCI5*, and her chestnut gelding, placed at Bicton in June, has proved that he can cope with the cambers of the undulating cross-country course here. “He’s confident, he’s easy to go fast on and he’s amazing at measuring his fences.”
The beautiful grass arena at Bicton provides perfect viewing and international atmosphere. Newly crowned Olympic gold medallist Oliver Townend, who will wrap up the afternoon is last to go on his second horse, Tregilder, congratulated the Bicton Arena team for putting on a CCI5* at short notice. “I can’t take off my hat enough to the team here,” he said. “They have done a fantastic job. I am blown away by the presentation and the ground is A-one. It’s a proper five-star.”
Follow live results on www.eventingscores.co.uk. Gate admission is available for tomorrow’s cross-country (www.bicton-arena.co.uk) and the action will be livestreamed on Horse & Country (https://horseandcountry.tv/pay-per-view/eliteeventing).
Five-star eventing has come to Devon for the first time with the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials, and anticipation is building for Britain’s first CCI5* in two years, with all 32 horses presented passing the first horse inspection.
Zara Tindall, the 2006 world champion, riding Class Affair, will kick off proceedings at 9am tomorrow morning by performing the ‘guinea-pig test’ in Bicton Park’s beautiful grass TopSpec Main Arena in front of an international ground jury comprising New Zealander Andrew Bennie as president, Britain’s Jane Tolley and Seppo Laine from Finland.
Then the trailblazing competitor, David Doel, one of the four two-horse riders, will ride the first competitive dressage test, at 9.30am.
Next in is Olympic team gold medallist and world number one Oliver Townend, who already has a CCI5* win under his belt this year, at Kentucky in April. His first ride is the experienced MHS King Joules.
Devon-based Irishman Padraig McCarthy, the world silver medallist, is also double handed, with HHS Noble Call his first ride. The McCarthys are renowned for producing horses, including MGH Grafton Street, the 2019 Burghley winner and second mount of Pippa Funnell.
Pippa, winner of the last CCI5*-L in Britain, Burghley in 2019, has already won a prize: she was judged the best-dressed female rider at the first horse inspection, taking home £250 from Hi Ho Silver. The smartest man was 22-year-old Harry Mutch, who also received £250 from Hiho Silver. New Zealander James Avery’s Mr Sneezy was judged the best turned out horse, with Frankie Murrell deservedly receiving the groom’s prize from Smart Grooming.
Rider experience ranges from 52-year-old William Fox-Pitt, winner of five of the world’s six CCI5* events, to 2019 Badminton winner Piggy March and world number two Tim Price from New Zealand to 21-year-old Felicity Collins, who will be aiming for a first five-star completion with RSH Contend Or, and CCI5* first-timer Sarah Dowley, who works in frontline healthcare in Ireland.
“It has been an honour for Bicton to host the only five-star competition in the UK this year,” said Event Director Andrew Fell. “We’re looking forward to three days of competition which we’re sure will be enjoyable, challenging and live up to the expectations of a prestigious five-star competition.
“It’s a big thank you to everyone that has supported us in the build-up, especially the main stakeholders of our sport, who were instrumental in getting this event off the starting blocks, and our fantastic family of sponsors, without whom this would not be possible.”
Tickets are available on the gate (www.bicton-arena.co.uk) and the competition will be livestreamed on Horse & Country (https://horseandcountry.tv/pay-per-view/eliteeventing). For start times and live scores, follow www.eventingscores.co.uk.
The Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials (2-5 September) promises to be a thrilling competition with an entries list that is a mix of established horse-and-rider combinations and exciting new prospects.
The newly crowned Olympic gold medallist and world number one Oliver Townend will travel to the beautiful Devon venue, which is hosting Britain’s only CCI5*-L this year, with MHS King Joules, sixth at Pau last year, and five-star debutant Tregilder. The world number two, New Zealander Tim Price, has the 2018 Burghley winner Ringwood Sky Boy, and Piggy March, fourth in the FEI World Eventing World Athlete Rankings, rides her 2019 Badminton winner Vanir Kamira.
Pippa Funnell, winner of the last CCI5* on British soil, Burghley in 2019, brings Majas Hope and Billy Walk On, William Fox-Pitt, who has won five out of the world’s six CCI5*s, rides Oratorio II, and Nicola Wilson, who won Bicton’s inaugural CCI4*-L in June, will be attempting to go one better on the supremely talented JL Dublin.
The reigning world champion, Ros Canter, is entered with CCI5* debutant Pencos Crown Jewel, who was placed at Bicton in June, and the world silver medallist, Ireland’s Padraig McCarthy, has Leonidas ll and HHS His Noble Call.
The nations of Great Britain, Sweden, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand will be represented in the quality field of some 40 runners, who will tackle a cross-country course created by hugely experienced and imaginative CCI5* course-designer Captain Mark Phillips. He has reversed the direction of the international track created for the inaugural CCI4* in June and, as expected, has produced some proper championship fences while mitigating Bicton’s undulations with a less intense test than that of Burghley.
Having produced at short notice a highly successful CCI4* competition in June, the team at Lord and Lady Clinton’s Bicton Arena have pulled out all the stops to answer rider and owner demand for a British CCI5* after the cancellation of Burghley. Chedington, Dr Geoffrey Guy’s state-of-the-art equestrian facility in Dorset, which supported the CCI4*, is also backing this one-off five-star and, with Elite Eventing, has made it possible for a prize fund of €125,000.
“Thanks to Chedington, Elite Eventing and the dedication of the team here at Bicton, we have been able to seize the opportunity not only to put on Devon’s first five-star event, but to create a competition truly worthy of that status,” said Bicton Arena Manager Andrew Fell. “It’s going to be a memorable weekend.”
Limited tickets are on sale for dressage (Friday, 3 September), cross-country (Saturday, 4 September) and show jumping (Sunday, 5 September). The first horse inspection will take place on Thursday, 2 September. Visit https://www.bicton-arena.co.uk/chedington-bicton-park-5-horse-trials/ for further information.
The whole competition is also live-streamed through the Elite Eventing channel on Horse & Country with the dressage phase free to watch https://app.horseandcountry.tv/eliteeventing
Having just run the four-star in June, I was struggling to make this five-star Burghley replacement look very different. So although riders set off in a familiar direction the course is reversed for this inaugural Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials in Devon.
The Chedington Flowerbed (1) is a friendly starter to help settle the nerves before making the first of several climbs up to the Clippersharp Log Table (2) which again should not hold too many fears. There is then a long gallop down to the Empire Picnic Table (3) before climbing back up to the Blackberry Cottages (4).
The holiday is over as riders come to the first question at the EHOA Dewpond (5). Positive riding is required as the brushes are quite daunting on the angle with the water in between. Horses then climb again to the Chedington Oxer Triple Bar Combination (6). There is time for horses to catch their breath at the top of the hill before the first 2 metre top spread, 4 strides to the next Oxer and then 3 strides to the skinny Triple Bar.
If riders didn’t understand that they were now at a five-star, they will as they come down the hill to the Voltaire Brush (7) before a quick turn to the Berenberg Blue Cabin (8) at the top of the Derby Bank. Its then all about control on the steep descent down to the Top Spec Corners (9). Anyone a little out of control might think of doing a circle before attempting a left corner, 4 or 5 strides to a right corner, both very missable!
There is then something of a holiday and a chance to make up time as riders leave the Arena over the Chedington Table (10) before disappearing out on the Bicton Park Gardens loop over the Bicton College Monkey Puzzle (11), the Dartmoor Beef Picnic Table (12) and the Jewson’s Table (13).
However as they come back to the Main Arena and the Clinton Devon Estates Cliffhanger (14), control and accuracy are very much needed. Firstly to jump the frangible rail clear, down the big drop and then 3 or 4 strides to the massive Triple Brush at the bottom. There is though an alternative for the feint hearted. The Burghley Table and Arena Rails (15) are not so difficult and more of a speed bump before climbing back up out of the Main Arena.
All will have their heart in their mouth as they descend to the Ariat Challenge (16). Again they have to jump the frangible rails clear before bouncing over the ditch and then bouncing again to the 1.45m arrowhead brush.
Riders can then gather their thoughts as they gallop to the W. H. Bond Sawbench (17) but will need to be wearing their five-star pants as they approach the daunting Western Counties Tall and Narrow (18). There is no time to relax though as horses get to the top of the hill they are met by The Burghley Brushes (19), four consecutive Triple Brushes, something none of them will have ever seen before. There is though alternatives for those thinking discretion is the better part of valour.
There is no let up as riders come down to Vardag Oxer & Corner (20). Again the 2m Oxer looks enormous and there is then a forward 4 or more conservative 5 strides to an awkward looking corner.
A long gallop follows down to the HTSG Wilma & Crumble Stumps (21). Riders just need to take their time here over a not so easy piece of ground before galloping back to the NFU Water (22). Riders will ponder long and hard here but may well opt for the slightly slower bending lines as 3 of the 4 brushes are very missable.
Its then a long gallop back up the hill to the last question on the course, the Fisher German Mounds (23). Another bending line but the brushes are tall and not very inviting.
All will enjoy the gallop down to the St James Place Double Brush (24) before the last climb to the Clarke Willmott Brush (25) and the final NAF Finale (26).
There is more terrain on this five-star course than any other in the world, therefore some of the let up fences are more forgiving and there is less intensity than say Badminton or Burghley. The overall examination though is very much five-star and will produce a worthy champion that Burghley can be proud of.
With less than one month to go until all eyes are on Bicton Park, who will be your favourite horse and rider combination to take top honours at the UK’s only five-star eventing competition in 2021, the first to take place in two years?
Entries are open for the much-anticipated one-off fixture, the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials taking place at Budleigh Salterton, Devon on 2-5 September.
Tickets for this special event will be on sale Tuesday 17th August so keep an eye on Bicton’s social media channels and website for all the details.
For those who can’t make it in person, all the action will be available to watch live via a dedicated Elite Eventing channel on Horse & Country’s streaming service, H&C+. The trot up and first two days of dressage are free to view. The cross country, Sunday trot up and showjumping phases can be watched with a Weekend Pass, available for £25, or £20 for H&C+ members. All Weekend Pass holders will be able to watch all of the content on-demand for 90 days following the event. For more information visit www.horseandcountry.tv.
Elite Eventing TV is an innovative new concept that creates a direct link between the eventing audience and a tangible stream of financial investment in the sport of Eventing. Designed by the team behind the Event Rider Masters series, Elite Eventing TV is now taking that experience to create a dedicated Pay Per View (PPV) live streaming model. Revenues created from the sale of Live Stream PPV passes will be reinvested back into the sport via the ‘Elite Eventing Premium’, a brand-new additional prize money fund to be distributed between the Top 10 placed Bicton 5* competitors. For more information visit www.eliteeventing.tv.
Chris Stone, who owns Elite Eventing and has teamed up with H&C to enable the live-streaming of the event, added, “Elite Eventing has been created to make a direct link between the top riders and horses in this amazing sport, and the fans who appreciate the skill, bravery and passion they demonstrate. We try to give the fans great value for money with top quality presentation of our sport, and in turn we invest the money they spend back into the sport. We are thrilled to trial this model at Bicton and hope to expand it in the future.”
H&C CEO Heather Killen commented, “We’re delighted to be working alongside the teams at Bicton and Elite Eventing to bring this special event to the widest possible audience. With H&C+ we’ve been able to show more live eventing than has ever previously been possible and this, combined with our eventing focused masterclasses, rider profiles, documentaries and other programming, speaks to our commitment to this vibrant and passionate community.”
Bicton Arena Manager, Andrew Fell said, “We are extremely grateful to both Chedington and Elite Eventing for enabling us to put on a competition at five-star level for those riders, owners, and supporters who have endured the disappointment of not having an event of this level in the UK since 2019.”