LUCY WIEGERSMA WINS CCI***

Lucy Wiegersma notched up an historic third win at Bowmore Blair Castle International Horse Trials, leading from the off in the £5000-to-the-winner CCI*** on the classy Shaab gelding Shaabrak.

The ten year old chestnut stamped his authority on the competition with a smooth dressage test, to head the field on a mark of 40.6. Shaabrak relished the test of the cross-country, making a clear round look deceptively easy, although he was some 22seconds over the optimum time.

The cross-country track, made all the more testing by its steep hills, forced errors from the other combinations placed in the top 5 after dressage, with 2nd placed Camilla Shepherd being eliminated and Polly Williamson retiring Wicked Time. Other notable scalps claimed by course designer Ronald Alexander were those of Olympic long-listed riders Antoinette McKeowen and Vicky Brake, Cindy Rawson (USA), Brook Staples (AUS) and MJ Tumbridge (BER).

The fastest round of the day came from Nicola Tweddle, on Anne Furness and Juliet Alers-Hankey’s Highland Loch II, who stormed round just 4seconds outside the time to rise from 28th place after dressage to 3rd place going into the show jumping. New Zealand’s Caroline Powell went into second place overnight with Lexi Mackinnon’s diminutive grey Lenamore, following a stylish clear.

One of the most impressive cross-country rides came from 19year old Sarra Mayberry with the ex-racehorse Tommy Pink. Their round brought them up from 25th to 7th, and a clear showjumping round then elevated the pair to eventual 6th place. Sarra was awarded the Menzies Rosebowl for the Highest placed Scot, plus the Blair Castle Shield for the Highest placed British Rider under 25 years old.

Fifth place went to Bella Tschaikowsky and Our Mission, whilst Nicola Tweddle dropped one place to fourth, following a slightly disappointing show jumping round for 8 faults plus time penalties. Neil Fox and What If overtook Nicola by just 0.4 penalties with a confident clear round to finish 3rd.

A clear from Caroline Powell kept the pressure on Lucy Wiegersma, but the two fences she had in hand were not needed. The only drama on Sunday for Lucy came at the final veterinary inspection, when Shaabrak was held after a stumble, and had to be represented before being passed fully sound. A decisive clear led to Lucy’s third Blair victory, following CCI** wins with River Valley in 2001 and Friday Morning in 2002.

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