BRITISH EURO MEDALLISTS HEAD TO BRAMHAM
Three members of Britain's European gold medal winning quartet and the individual silver winner top the strong entry of over 148 horse and rider combinations from 13 countries for this year's Bramham International Horse Trials 3 - 6 June 2010. William Fox-Pitt, aiming for his sixth Bramham title, Oliver Townend, local rider Nicola Wilson and individual medallist Piggy French all have horses who could be in the reckoning for this year's top honours in one of the three classes on offer. The main CCI*** features some of the world's best up and coming horses while the Bishop Burton College Under 25 Championship is a showcase of the best young talent in the country at present. The CIC*** returns after debuting last year and was a real crowd pleaser.
2008 winner William Fox-Pitt has two rides in the CCI***; Neuf des Coeurs and Parklane Hawk, both of which are in good form following top five placings at Chatsworth CIC*** just a few weeks ago. Oliver Townend has opted for the CIC*** with his two rides Ashdale Cruise Master, a new horse for Oliver which finished fifth here last year with his former rider, Emily Gilruth and Imperial Master. Northallerton's Nicola Wilson, Bramham runner up last year, has Bee Diplomatic in the CCI*** and Ballyengland Rebel in the CIC***. Piggy French, who earned selection for the European Championships last year with Some Day Soon with a third place at Bramham and went on to win Individual Silver, has two strong chances in the CCI*** with Jakata and Lemington Lets Dance.
Two-time Bramham winner (1992 and 2002) Pippa Funnell, always favourite with the crowd, brings Redesigned and Blue Horizon for the CCI*** class plus, you'll see her in some of the BSJA Show Jumping Classes. Kitty King (nee Boggis) has rerouted Boondooggle to join the CCI*** after their Badminton didn't go to plan while 2008 Olympic Team Bronze Medallist Sharon Hunt is in the same class with Kenny.
Riders from down under are having a season to remember and 2009 CCI*** victor Andrew Nicholson (NZL) brings a pair of horses making their debut at this level; Parkmore Repechage and Shady Grey. Paul Tapner (AUS) won Bramham in 2000 when he was new to British shores and at the beginning of the May he scored his biggest win by taking the Badminton title with Inonothing. He brings three horses from his Swindon base - one in the CCI*** and two in the CIC*** and his confidence is sky high. Eventing legend Mark Todd (NZL) also has three rides and is not to be missed by spectators - where else can you see someone who has five Olympic medals including two Individual titles, two team World Championship Golds, five Burghley victories and 3 Badminton titles to his credit.
The Bishop Burton College Under 25 Championship has 32 combinations lining up and picking a winner is almost impossible. Last year's winner, Emily Llewellyn defends her title with Junior II while reigning Young Rider European Champion Laura Collett brings seasoned campaigner, Ginger May Killinghurst. Other names to watch include Gemma Tattersall, Angus Smales, Lauren Shannon, Georgie Spence and local rider Jolyse Clancy. France is fielding five riders in this section and their youth teams are always strong.
If some of the world's best event riders weren't enough, the BSJA classes, a Bramham tradition, have also attracted some top names for the eight classes over Saturday and Sunday culminating in the £1000 first prize Wetherby Skip Services Grand Prix which brings the curtain down on the four day extravaganza. Yorkshire's "home team", the Whitakers, have five representatives in Robert, Steven, Joe, George and Louise across the classes. One of Sunday's highlights will be the Mix & Match where event riders are partnered with a leading jumper for a fast and furious competition combining coloured knock-down fences and elements of the main cross country course - fastest time wins.
Bramham will also host a number of classes in the Dodson & Horrell Hunter Show on Thursday including Horse of the Year Show qualifiers for light, middle & heavy weight and working Hunters while the Great Yorkshire Show Pony Club Mounted Games will feature in the Equi-Trek East Arena on both Saturday and Sunday plus the Country Store Pony Club Team Jumping on Saturday. Always with an eye on the future, young horses will also feature heavily with Bramham hosting a Burghley Dubarry Young Event Horse four and five year old qualifier for the prestigious Championship in September plus Trot2 Event Horse Breeding and Young Stock Classes for foals to three year olds.
A full list of CCI & CIC entries plus and competition timetable and event news is available on http://www.bramham-horse.co.uk/. Daily tickets are available for purchase on the gate - prices start at £10 per adult, children under 12 go free and car parking is £5. Don't forget the camera - Bramham is holding a photographic competition this year - your picture could feature on the front page of the 2011 programme so keep your finger on the button.