Kitty King reigns champion of the Superflex CIC***

Kitty King

It was a super Saturday of competition at the NAF Five Star International Hartpury Horse Trials, as Kitty King and Vendredi Biats retain their lead to win the Superflex CIC***.

With a top dressage score of 39 and clear-round in the show jumping, King went on to fly through the cross-country into well-deserved first place. Willa Newton stepped up into second, having just added 1.2 time to move up from 10th place on a final score of 48.2. Ludwig Svennerstal was just behind, adding 2 time cross country to finish on 48.5, completing the top three podium placings.

King said: “I’m delighted with Vendredi’s performance. He’s only eight years old and has just moved up from two to three star eventing. He can really pull through my hands though and I nearly withdrew him a week ago because of it. I had a lot of support and found a new bit-combination for him that’s really worked. It was my birthday on Thursday so this is a great belated birthday present!”

Powys Event Rider Franky Reid-Warrilow with Dolley Whisper

Overnight’s second place, Stella Benatti, had an unlucky four faults to drop her out of the top 10 heading into the cross country. Yesterday’s joint third place competitors, Franky Reid-Warrilow riding Dolley Whisper and Lauren Kieffer aboard Veronica II, both jumped clear to set off for the final phase in joint second. Sharon Hunt and Paul Tapner both stayed on their dressage scores to take fourth and fifth place respectively, ahead of the third phase.

It was all to play for setting out on the third and final phase, with the top 14 all within 10 marks of each other. Vendredi Biats and Kitty King added just 3.2 time to finish on a score of 42.2, staying clear of the rest of the field.

It all changed for the rest of the top five as Franky picked up 9.2 time to drop to eighth place whilst Lauren and Veronica II picked up 20 penalties and 28 time to drop out of the placings.

Paul Tapner and Bonza King of Rouges moved up a place to finish in fourth on 50.2, whilst Jeanette Brakewell and Forever Red completed the top five on a score of 52.5.

Willa Newton, 2nd in the CIC3*

There’s no change from yesterday in the placings in the Magic CCI**. It’s all go for Willa Newton as she retains her lead on Moonlight Dance S, adding just 0.4 time to her dressage score to head into the final day on 42.0. Second and third placed Amelia Walker and Roberto Scalisi both take their dressage scores of 44.7 and 45.2 into tomorrow’s showjumping.

Leading from day one in the Recover CCI*, Chloe Lynn had nothing to add after the cross country to retain her top spot ahead of tomorrow’s showjumping. Second place after the dressage, Imogen Gloag added 9.2 time to drop out of the placings, leaving Amelia Walker to move up to second place on E Boy after going clear.

Willa Newton, leads the Magic CCI** after XC

Mark Ford and Mintridge Larkspur also stayed clear to head into tomorrow’s showjumping in third place on 45.3. With just a fence separating the top 10, tomorrow will be close competition.

Tickets are still available for tomorrow (the final day of the world-famous horse trials), Sunday 12th and entry is just £5 with under 16s and parking is free.

To stay up to date with the latest news and results, visit www.hartpuryhorsetrials.co.uk  or Facebook @hartpuryhorsetrials

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