Course designer and builder Lloyd Hunt presented an inviting early season cross-country challenge. The day kicked off with a thrilling British Eventing 90 where Georgina Prest and Wilhelm I won Section A. Despite having one down in their showjumping round they had enough in hand to hold off the challenge of Stephen Rankin and his own CASTLEFOBES ROSCOE, while Beth Povey rounded off the top three.

Jordan Cavanagh and A TOUCH OF CLASS led from start to finish to emerge victorious in section B, finishing with a score of 26.1. They were pushed all the way by Amber Moxon and her own CARNAKILLY LITTLE ROSS who finished on 27.9 while Kitty Hamilton and DAKARI Z made the final podium position.

Imogen Pew and the gorgeous grey MOONSHINE MELODY put in a brilliant early season performance to win the hotly contested section C. They were foot perfect throughout the jumping phases to finish on their dressage score of 27.8. Catherine Dalton and HARRYS SILVER FOX were narrowly beaten into second place, also finishing on their dressage score of 28 while Beth Harrison and GARTHFACH WHISKY ROCKS took the third spot.

Continuing with the British Eventing 90 action, Section D was won by five star rider Phil Brown and his six year old debutant CREEVAHSTABLES KNOCKDOULODGE finishing on a score of 31.1. Isabella Moreton and CUFFSGRANGE LITTLE RICK had a lovely season opener to take the runner up spot on 33.6. Alex Postolosky and her own FOREVER GOLD were made to settle for bronze finishing on their dressage score of 33.8.

Sarah Bow and M.H.S GLOBAL COOLEY finished on their dressage score of 30 to take the red ribbon in section E. Their perfection in the jumping phases was enough to see off the challenge of Olivia Jackson Bowers and her own gelding MICHAEL TYNAN. Lauren Frost and WROETOSHAW finished in third on their dressage score of 32.5.

The action moved on to the British Eventing 100 classes after a quick change of courses at the North Lincolnshire venue. RAMIRO RED made an impressive British Eventing debut in the capable hands of Hayden Hankey to win on a score of 24.7. WHIGSBOROUGH ARTHUR and Florence Baron warmed up for their run at Oasby with a lovely performance across the three phases to take home the blue rosette. Lucinda Atkinson on Jane Pybus’s TAKE A Bow took the final podium position on a score of 28.8.

The performance of the day went to Lucy Robinson and OLARISE BEECH who finished on their amazing dressage score of 19.3. This lowest score of the day gave them plenty in hand over second placed Heidi Coy and TAPP DANCER who too finished on their dressage score of 26.8. Donna Abell and EAGLE EYE DHI had an identical score of 26.8 but had to settle for third as Heidi was closer to the optimum time of four twenty nine on cross country.

Hayden Hankey was in the winners enclosure for the second time of the day when he steered his own, LOVE SICK, to victory in the 100 Open. The 8 year old gelding finished on his impressive dressage score of 24.3 and had more than a pole to spare over Minnie Longden and ARDEO FUN SIZE in second on 30.7. Wizz Leyland and MR POKER FACE produced a lovely performance to take the third spot on a score of 30.8.

The 100 plus was the final section of the day and went the way of Harriet Wright and R N H ULTIMATE. The 7 year old gelding did enough to win a competitive section by finishing on their dressage score of 33.5. Cross Country time faults cost UNSHINE and James Cuthbert the top spot as they finished in second on a score of 34.1. Hanah Brook and her own ROXXREADY finished on their dressage score of 34.3 to take the final podium position.

A big thanks to sheryl and John Gibbons and their incredible team of volunteers for providing a great start to the British Eventing season. Remember as always you can watch your full cross country and showjumping videos at EQUIREEL.CO.UK.