Welcome to The Finish Line, your go to source for news and event highlights from across the world of eventing. Join us throughout the season as we recap the latest events, share insights from top riders, and provide in-depth analysis of the sport we all love. From grassroots to exhilarating five star excellence, we’ve got you covered as we bring you the best of eventing, straight from the course, to your screen.. 

The Equireel cameras were at Norton Disney on Friday where despite all the recent wet weather, Eventing got the green light. The first of three days of British Eventing action included 90, 100 and Novice classes. Course designer Joe Weller presented an inviting early season cross country challenge. The day kicked off with a thrilling British Eventing 100 where Penny Hancox and Circus Standing Ovation won an extremely competitive Section A with the top five combinations all finishing on their dressage score. Penny had just enough in hand to hold off the challenge of Guthrie Shields and Sir Prize P in second, while Florence Baron rounded off the top three.

Section B, sponsored by Tower Equine, also proved to be an extremely competitive section with the first eight placed combinations separated by just 2.5 marks and remarkably all eight finished on their dressage score. Finn Healy and his own Greenanstown Monbeg Joe put in a brilliant early season performance to win on a score of 30.3. Simon Grieve and Hasalmere Rockey were narrowly beaten to the top spot finishing on 30.5. Arthur Duffort and LOLITA DO CAHIM Lolita Do Cahim had an identical score of 30.5 but had to settle for third as Simon was closer to the optimum time by just one second on cross country

Continuing with the British Eventing 100 action, the Bagforce Aggregates sponsored Section C was won by five star rider Angus Smales and his own gelding Lagans Cooley finishing on their dressage score of 24.8. Sophie Johnson and her own bay gelding FADOS NAHOLO Fados Naholo had a lovely season opener to take the runner up spot on 26.3. Australian Bill Levett and Monbeg Spot On were made to settle for bronze also finishing on their dressage score of 29.8.

The action moved on to the British Eventing 90 classes after a quick change of courses at the picturesque Lincolnshire venue. The performance of the day went to Daniel Titterton and Vision B in Section D who had an excellent dressage score of 21.8. Even with a few time penalties on cross country, this lowest score of the day gave them plenty in hand over second placed Chloe Sharman and her debutant mare WESTMOUNT LEAH who finished on 31. Daniel Megson on Wayne Stevens, British bred gelding, Prospector took the final podium position, finishing on their dressage score of 31.3.

Rebecca Crosbie-Starling and her own British Eventing debutant Grantstown Music Of The Night made up for missing their opening run of the season at Oasby by taking the top spot in the Tiggas Saddlery sponsored Section E, they were foot perfect throughout the jumping phases to finish on their dressage score of 30.5. Lucy Hallam and Ringwood Junior followed up their positive season opener at Epworth with another good performance to take the blue ribbon on a score of 31. Luke Prior and his mount Millview Mamuka Rose also finished on 31 but had to settle for third as Lucy was closer to the optimum time of 4.39 on cross country.

Friday’s action at Norton Disney concluded with the Addo Events sponsored Novice section that went the way of Isabella Castle and the beautiful mare Brookpark Ruby. Ginger as she’s better known at home took the red rosette on a score of 32.8. Heidi Coy and her own mare Fourfields Wonder Woman warmed up for Burnham Market with a lovely performance to take second place on a score of 34. Musa Hussain and the Irish bred gelding KBF Knockmore made the final podium position on a score of 36.5.