Running its field of multi-national riders in reverse order of merit over the Hopetoun International Horse Trials’ cross country phase, organisers secured the thrilling finish spectators had been waiting for.
The format, which has been running at the Gillespie Macandrew Hopetoun Town and County Fair now for the last three years, also had the desired effect upon the competitors the tension could be felt mounting in the warm-up arena.
Run over the course of the weekend, the first of the international wins was taken by German young rider Niklas Bschorer.
He led the CIC* on board his father Wolfgang’s eight-year-old mare Win And Love, having come fresh to Hopetoun from wins in the novices classes at both Floors Castle and Aske.
Meanwhile, holding his own among a truly international field of professional riders was Fife rider Wills Oakden, who competes a string of horses from his base at Dunbog, outside Newburgh.
“Running in reverse order is a much more exciting way to finish a cross country, not just for the spectators but for the riders too,” explained Wills.
“It adds to the pressure but it also meant we all knew what we wanted and needed to do and of course, who we wanted to try to beat.”
Ultimately, by posting the fastest time on the two-star XC track, Wills came through the finish line securing second place on board Tony and Debbie Whalley’s gelding Merikano to become the best Scot in the CIC** Scottish Intermediate Championships contest.
The class was won by Ireland’s Tanya Kyle with Atlantic Domino, which added just 10.4 time to a strong 37.5 dressage to win on a penalty of 49.7.
“The course actually rode very quickly the time was hard to reach,” said Wills.
“It’s brilliant for his owners. It was a good international test and Bertie really held his own amongst good company.”
This 12-year-old gelding came to Hopetoun as only his third run of the year said Wills: “We gave him some time off early in the year but he really feels like he’s come back to form. He was flying cross country, firing on all
cylinders, and I think we’re going to have a lot of fun with him.”
Wills also progressed to collect a fourth placing in the ultimate CIC*** contest with David Kenwright and Sylvia Douglas’ home-bred mare Greystone Midnight Melody, known at home as Molly.
The previous month, they had topped the Star of the Future British Showjumping championship to rapturous applause in the main arena at the Royal Highland Show.
Wills explained before Hopetoun they had a bit of a disappointing advanced run at Eglinton: “We didn’t need to have any kind of qualifying run so I took a chance with her by taking the straight route through a double of corners but she had an uncharacteristic glance off the second element.”
This blip was put well behind them at Hopetoun: “She was just awesome,” commented Wills.
“She’s so consistent with her jumping. She made the XC feel so easy, and practically popped round Hopetoun with her eyes closed.”
“The whole event was fantastic to have in Scotland it had a real championship feel to it and it was exactly what we need north of the border. It’s perfect for this time of year in the run towards Blair,” he added.
Returning to Hopetoun to repeat his 2012 accolade as winner of the CIC*** contest was Australia’s PaulTapner, who led from the get-go with Kilronan.
“Kilronan loves it here,” said Paul. “It’s a proper three-star track, particularly given the hills and terrain.”
He performed a personal best of 35.2 for his dressage before taking a lead of 13 penalties going into the final phase, courtesy of one of only eight showjumping clears. Ultimately they could not be caught and, in the end, they
had extended their lead to 15 penalties over the rest of the field.
The 12-year-old son of Ghareeb, which has been with Paul for the last four seasons, was second in the advanced class at Weston Park.
He then made his four-star debut at Badminton, finishing 20th.
“I was disappointed with his dressage at Badminton. Hopefully, with more mileage under his belt, he’ll be in the thick of it at Burghley.”
The final CIC*** podium positions saw Niklas Bschorer take second with Ballyengland Rebel, whilst highest of the Scots, Charlotte Agnew, from the Borders, queried her cross country time penalties to rise up to third on her Badminton ride, Out of Africa Two.
“He’s the most amazing horse,” said Charlotte. “He just eats up the fences.”