Pippa leads the CCI*** while France’s rising star makes the other two sections his own

Dressage leader Pippa Funnell has kept her lead in the CCI*** section with Redesigned but those just behind her fell victim to Ian Stark’s clever and bold course.  Jean-Lou Bigot had a run out at nine but was still quick around the course and he’s still in the top 14 while William Fox-Pitt also faulted at nine and also 24 to drop out of the reckoning with Parklane Hawk.  However, Neuf de Coeurs has kept William’s name up there with a clear round with just 3.2 penalties for fourth place.  Last year’s champion Andrew Nicholson is still in the hunt to retain his title after a faultless performance with Shady Grey – one of just two riders to go inside the time – which moved them from 12th to third.  Piggy French is now second after a great round with Lemington Lets Dance which was just one second over the optimum time.It was all change in the Bishop Burton Under 25 CCI*** and we have a new leader in the shape of France’s Donatien Schauly - this young lad is certainly one to watch as he won the CIC*** but more on that later.  Riding Seculaire, he added just 1.2 time penalties and certainly looks to be a star of the future with one of the rounds of the day.  Dressage leader Laura Collett’s chances of winning faded when she became one of five riders in this section to collect jumping faults at fence15, the Double of Corners.  Gemma Tattersall, in her final year of this competition, was a fantastic four seconds under the optimum time to add nothing to her dressage score which moved her four places up the leader board to second.  Flora Harris and Law Choice pulled their best ever round out of the bag today to also make a two place climb up the rankings for third.As mentioned, it was the tricolor of France which flew for the winner of the CIC*** when the young rider Donatien Schauly finished on his dressage score of 46.9 to score a commanding win by over seven penalties.  Paul Tapner couldn’t quite emulate his Badminton victory but was a very happy second with Kilfinnie II.  Emily Baldwin kept her third place throughout with the talented Drivetime.  It wasn’t to be for Mark Todd and NZB Regent Lad but they’re certainly a combination for the future.The action continues here at Bramham; after seven hours of cross country, a large, hard-core crowd continue to enjoy the sunshine cheering the Six Bar competitors on – we may be here some time...Join us tomorrow if you can for what promises to be two exciting finishes plus the Bramham Mix N Match and of course, the Wetherby Skip Services Grand Prix to bring the curtain down on Bramham for another year.  The action gets under way at 9:30am with the Under 25 section.