Cook is back on top 

Tina Cook wins the CIC 3* with Billy the Red. Photo Sally Newcomb

At the end of a thrilling day of cross-country at the NAF Five Star Hartpury International Horse Trials, Britain’s Tina Cook and Billy The Red reigned supreme in the NAF Magic CIC3*.

Sitting in 5th place overnight after the dressage, Tina and Billy The Red pulled off a beautiful clear round showjumping before heading out on Eric Winter’s 3* course. The pair then performed a cross-country masterclass to finish on their dressage score of 25.6 and pull four places up the leaderboard into first position.

“The season has been unfortunate for me as I started with great hopes after being fourth at the Europeans last year and Billy The Red is only an 11-year-old, so he’s a young horse,” said Tina. “Then we had our fall at Burnham Market where I dislocated and fractured my shoulder badly so that caused me to miss a core of the season. Everything fell into place here, he nailed a good test because he is a world-class horse and I’m thrilled — it’s been a while since I’ve had a big win and it was a strong field. The ground was fantastic as was the course, and it was a great prep for the autumn events.”

Piggy French, 2nd on Quarryquest Echo. Photo Sally Newcomb

A clear showjumping and cross-country round with just 0.4 time penalties brought Piggy French and Quarryquest Echo up from 6th overnight to second place. Piggy also took 8th riding Vanir Kamira who showjumped clear and earned just 8 time penalties across country to finish on 32.2. Sam Ecroyd and Wodan II made a huge leap from 11th overnight to third when pulling off a clear showjumping and cross country round with just 0.8 time penalties to finish on 28.3. 

The leaderboard is relatively unchanged in the NAF MPower CCI1* ranks, with Dani Evans and Hollywood Dancer remaining in the lead after a spectacular clear cross-country round to stay on their dressage score of 27.1. Susie Berry and Fernhill G also pulled off a super clear round across country to stay in second place on 27.6, while Vicky Tuffs and Heartbeat move up into third place after a clear cross country. Vicky moves into third ahead of overnight third-placed rider Erika Sjostrom and Dantino B on collectives. Both riders stay on 27.8.

Sam Ecroyd, 3rd in the CIC 3* at the garden fence in front of Hartpury House. Photo Sally Newcomb

It’s all change in the NAF Superflex CCI2* with Japan’s Ryuzo Kitajima taking centre stage after cross-country on Vick Du Gisors JRA after overnight leader Aoife Clark and Calling Card bowed out on the cross-country course. Emily Philps and Fallulah fill second place on 31 after a clear cross country round, while Alicia Hawker moves up to third from 12th overnight with Lawa on 33.3.

The sun shone on the Hartpury Summer Fair which saw huge crowds of local visitors through the gate to enjoy a fun-filled day of family entertainment. 

Tickets are still available for Sunday 12 August, at £5 per person. Under 16s and parking is free all weekend. 

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