Under-21 riders impressed at Cornbury House Horse Trials (11-15 September) today.
Anna Price, 19, won The Howden Way CCI-S 3*YR riding her parents Tricia and Tim’s 11-year-old Ars Vivendi mare Blakeney Surprise. The pair only added two showjumping time-faults to her dressage mark of 27.9.
Anna said: “She had a good result at Hartpury [fourth in the CCI3*-L] so I was quietly feeling fairly confident. This was the best dressage test she’s ever done and she tends to be a good jumper. I thought the cross-country track here was so good – it was such a flowing course, with enough questions, the ground was perfect, every fence was dressed so well and it really feels like a very special event.”
Second was Finn Healy, riding Caroline Jenks’ Ramiro Wannabe.
Oscar Fitzgerald, 16, topped The Howden Way CCI-S 2*J on Super Cillious, owned by Deborah Bevan, Juliet Donald, Lucy Allison and Italian Olympic rider Vittoria Panizzon. Oscar took on the ride on the British-bred 15-year-old a few months ago.
Oscar, whose father is former top National Hunt jockey turned ITV Racing presenter Mick Fitzgerald, said: “He’s a lovely horse and it’s a great opportunity for me to ride a horse with that kind of power. He’s quite quirky in that he likes to motorbike away after a fence, and he’s careful and you have to ride him in a certain way – basically I have to ride him as Vittoria did, as he was with her his whole life.
“It’s always been eventing for me – I enjoy the racing but it wouldn’t be for me – I’m too tall. Dad comes to watch and give his little opinion, but I wouldn’t like him as a trainer! I train with Richard Waygood, Ian Woodhead and Tina Fletcher, so I’m very lucky. I’d love to do this as a career – I know it’s extremely hard, but I’d love to make it happen.”
Second was Irish rider Tom Nestor riding Jessica McKie’s Coolafancy.
The Project Pony-sponsored Pony Trial went to Cumbria’s Maisie Greening, 15, and her 11-year-old Irish-bred dun mare Kilnaspic Lily.
Maisie and Kilnaspic Lily recently represented Britain as individuals at the Pony European Championships.
Maisie said: “I just really wanted to have a nice run on her after the Europeans, which was such an amazing experience. This is my first season on her; I got her around Christmas time and we just clicked. She’s really funny and a big character in the stable. She loves cross-country – she just looks for the flags.
“She did a really sweet dressage test – it was our best score in a two-star test – and then showjumping and across country she was foot-perfect.”
Second was Ireland’s Tadgh O’Haire riding Ballinagore Hero.
As well as a feast of equestrian sport, featuring many of the world’s most famous riders, Cornbury Horse Horse Trials is an innovative and exciting blend of local, sustainable food and drink from our neighbouring farms, premium hospitality, and interactive children’s activities in the stunning setting of Cornbury Park.