Burghley and Blenheim

Just one week later another beautiful English venue was host to a three star event. (Aimed at slightly less experienced horses who are hopefully preparing to compete at the very top.) Blenheim Palace, once the home of Winston Churchill, provides the backdrop for this event, held at the other side of the country in Oxfordshire. Eighty seven horses started the competition and the fact that seventy one completed the cross country speaks volumes for the conditions underfoot and for Mike Etherington-Smiths big, bold galloping course which encouraged the riders to take it on with style. Controversy this time managed to by-pass the dressage phase although a few eyebrows were raised at some inconsistency in the ground jury's marks. The lead was taken by one of the last horses to go, Rainbow Magic ridden by Pippa Funnell. A multi national line up saw America's Gayle Molander in second place riding Sir Nicholas, Holland's Eddie Stibbe in third on a recent purchase, Rimini Park Fabian, another American, Abigail Lufkin was fourth on Cameo ahead of New Zealander Mark Todd on Regal Scott, a horse Mark "nabbed" from wife Carolyn when fell from him and broke her shoulder earlier in the year.
Cross country day saw some controversy when Pippa Funnell was given twenty faults for a refusal when she circled in front of a fence in the water. Pippa appealed strongly against the decision and later the faults were deducted from her total. Meanwhile King Leo, sixth after the dressage, gave owner Debbie Burrell a birthday to remember when he briefly took the lead, only to lose it when Pippa's penalties were removed.		Pippa Funnell on Rainbow Magic at the 5th Blenheim International Horse Trials ©S.Sparkes
King Leo, a handsome grey horse, has had problems with his show jumping in the past but he is very talented in the other two phases. Talented enough that Andrew felt he was ready for Blenheim despite having just one advanced run under his belt. Throughout the day only eleven horses came home within the optimum time of which Leo was one. The Gangster, ridden by Kritina Gifford was another, and Westlord ridden by young Polly Clark was another, enabling her to rise seven places to 5th going into the show jumping. Polly, who was eliminated in the dressage at Badminton a couple of years ago when riding Poggio is revelling in having a straightforward horse to ride. "With Poggio you knew that there was always a chance that he would explode, but Westlord, who I first met when hunting in Ireland, is a totally different horse - he's a real pleasure to be on."
Polly Clark on Westlord. Winner of the Blenheim International Horse Trials ©S.Sparkes	Poor Gayle Molander was going beautifully and looking to take the lead until a fall at the last dropped her right out of the reckoning. Again show jumping was to have a big say in the final shakedown. The course was big and technical and included a treble built on a slight angle heading towards the edge of the arena. Clear rounds were at a premium and horses that jumped clear were rewarded by long climbs up the rankings. Sarah Longshaw and Simple Solution were elevated from 14th to 6th place overall and Australia's Phillip Dutton was rewarded by an even steeper climb, leaping from 23rd (out of the prize money) to eventual 11th (well into the prize money!) Andrew Nicholson somehow managed to keep Leo's legs in the air for the majority of the round despite lowering the first fence. He was incredibly unlucky as he approached the final fence when a strong gust of wind blew over two fences to the front and side of him,and Leo brought down the final fence leaving him seventh overall.
The most influential clear round was jumped by Polly Clark, the only rider in the top five to do so. It left her stunned and clear of the field - a very popular British winner. (quite rare nowadays!) American Beale Wright Morris, daughter of the First lady Olympic Equestrienne also climbed five places to take second place and Tina Gifford had just one down to take third place. Lucinda Fredericks, who had lain third after the cross country on the attractive gray Dalliance had one fence down and a very expensive time fault which left her just 0.40 penalties behind Tina but ahead of a frustrated Pippa Funnell. The only sad note was that Westlords owner Arthur Comyn was not there to see his horses victory - he had to fly back to Ireland on the Saturday to be with his father who is terminally ill.
About the Author Helen Revington was born in Tennessee, U.S.A a long time ago. Her passion for horses is life-long and she started riding aged three. Nowadays she lives in Gloucestershire, England and has to juggle her life between being a full time Registered Nurse, working for various equestrian publications and trying to train her young horse.
Her work has been published in Horse and Hound, Dressage magazine and Eventing Magazine, indeed it is in the field of eventing that she tends to specialise. Her photographs have not only been published in magazines but also in books such as The Olympic Eventing Masterclass and Cross-Country Masterclass. Helen has competed in many equestrian disciplines and has had successes in ridden and in-hand showing, Carriage Driving, Show Jumping and Eventing. Her young horse "All Systems Go", known to friends as "Buttons" will hopefully begin pre-novice eventing later this year.
About the Photographer
Stephen Sparkes was also born a long time ago, only a couple of miles away from where he now lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire. Stephen began taking photographs for publication over ten years ago and is generally considered one of the best "eventing" photographers in Britain. Stephen also has riding experience and has competed in eventing for "...a good few years." His mare "Just for Fun" is now in semi-retirement but her offspring, a three year old gelding by Golden Heights is just starting his working career and his proud step-parents can visualise him bounding around Badminton in 2002. Both Helen and Stephen can be contacted by writing to: 15, Kitesnest Lane Lightpill, Stroud Gloucestershire GL5 3PQ or by phone/fax on: 01453 758685

A Month of Eventing Extravaganza cont...