As we look forward to the start of the jumping phases tomorrow, the dressage leaders for all sections bar the Event Rider Masters CIC3* section – who have yet to start their campaigns – have changed little in the last 24 hours.
CCI***
With the CCI3* completed yesterday Kirsty Johnston has a two penalty advantage over Alice Dunsdon going in to cross country. This class’s riders take to the hills of the Blair Castle estate from 1550, with Michael Owen and Jims Pal first out of the start box.
Non ERM CIC***
It was all change in the closing moments of the CIC3* when the penultimate combination into the arena, Matthew Heath riding Cooley Lord Lux, slipped ahead of Scotland’s own Bella Innes-Ker on Carolyn.
“I knew that he was capable of doing a test like that,” said Matt. “I worked hard yesterday with Ian Woodhead to try to get it right, and we weren’t far off – there could perhaps have been a bit more animation in places but I’m happy.
“He’s a new ride for me this season and the cross country is testing, but we’ll give it a go tomorrow – although we’ve got to leave all the coloured poles up first…”
Harriet Wright completes the top three riding Ngong Hills, who was produced up to Three Star level by Britain’s European Individual bronze medallist Nicola Wilson. Less than one penalty separates these three combinations so there is all to play for tomorrow.
CIC3* show jumping starts at 1340, with the cross country at 1645.
CCI**
The top three in the Two Star remains the same, with Sam Ecroyd on Cooley Currency heading the leaderboard ahead of Josephine Schnaufer (Vivian 47) and Matthew Heath (Aloha).
Emily King and Walitze F Vejgard have slotted in to fourth place, less than a penalty ahead of local boy Wills Oakden on Ballbreaker SD. Under four penalties separate the top five riders.
Having been first into the dressage arena on Thursday, Sam will be the trailblazer around the Two Star cross country course tomorrow, setting out at 1340.
CCI*
Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp and Caroline Powell continue to share the lead in the One Star, with Gorsehill Cooley and Stracathro Solitary Mistral respectively. However a lovely test by Jenny Levett and Ballymore Rich Cat has put them just 0.1 of a penalty off the pace.
One Star competitors kick off this year’s cross country action, with Emily Parker and Mile High first out at 0900.
Keep up with all the action on Blair TV. We will be live streaming, plus you can catch up with anything you have missed here.