high riders compete with their finest horses

Many high occasion riders and their respective four- and five-star horses headed to Poplar Park for one of many first competitions of the 2023 British Eventing season, final weekend (4–5 March).

There have been two open intermediate sections on the occasion in Suffolk, the place massive names blew away the winter cobwebs by marking the beginning of their respective spring campaigns.

Let’s have a look by way of how they received on…

Oliver Townend began his 2023 marketing campaign as he means to go on, profitable each open intermediate sections on Swallow Springs (pictured) and Ballaghmor Class. Swallow Springs, who was previously ridden by Andrew Nicholson, completed third at Badminton final spring, whereas Ballaghmor Class was final seen on the World championships in Pratoni final September, received staff gold in Tokyo and likewise has Badminton and Kentucky five-star titles to his title.

Gemma Stevens (née Tattersall) received issues off to a superb begin, ending eighth in open intermediate part G with Flash Cooley, who’s owned by Pru Dawes and  was final seen ending fifth within the CCI4*-L at Blenheim Palace in September.

Pippa Funnell stated she was “very happy” to be again out eventing. She completed sixth with Billy Stroll On, who’s owned by Barbara and Nicholas Walkinshaw, in open intermediate part G. Billy Stroll On was final seen ending eighth at Burghley in September.

British-based Irish occasion rider Susie Berry received 2023 off to a flier, ending second in each open intermediate sections on Ringwood LB and Monbeg By Design respectively. The latter was Susie’s 2022 World Championship experience, whereas Ringwood LB completed fifth within the CCI4*-L at Bramham final yr earlier than tackling his first five-star at Burghley.

Tom McEwen had a trio of superstars out having fun with themselves, all leaping regular double clears. Toledo De Kerser – his Tokyo Olympics staff gold and particular person silver medal winner – completed 18th in open intermediate part G. CHF Cooliser, who was final seen ending twelfth at Burghley, was sixteenth in open intermediate part F, whereas JL Dublin, who was beforehand competed to five-star stage with Nicola Wilson, together with being topped European champion in 2021, completed eleventh in open intermediate part F. This gelding was final seen ending runner-up within the CCI4*-L at Boekelo with Tom in October.

Hector Payne and Dynasty, who’s owned by Judith and Jeremy Skinner and David and Margie Corridor, completed ninth in open intermediate part G with a double leaping clear. This gray was final out competing in October, when he completed third within the CCI5* at Pau.

Tom Jackson had a busy weekend competing eight horses throughout the 2 days of competitors at Poplar. His high horse, Capels Hole Drift, who was second at Burghley final yr, completed eleventh in open intermediate part G with a gradual double clear.

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