Sandra Auffarth leads after day one at Blenheim
Reigning World Champion Sandra Auffarth has taken the lead at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials after the first day of dressage.
Personal best
The German rider and 11-year-old Westphalian gelding Ispo scored a personal best of 37.2pen to take a convincing lead.
Sandra took over the ride a year ago after the death of the horse’s rider, Benjamin Winter, in a fall at Luhmhulen CCI4* in Germany.
“That was the best test we have done,” said Sandra, fresh from the Europeans at Blair Castle where she won team gold and individual silver. “He’s getting better and better on the flat as he gets stronger.”
First CCI3*
Three marks behind her in second place is Dani Evans riding Raphael II on 40.2pen. Dani missed out on making hersenior team debutwhen she had to withdraw Smart Time from the Europeans at the last moment, due to poor health.
In third place is Franky Reid-Warrilow, who is competing in her first CCI3* on board Dolley Whisper. The pair recently won individual gold at the European CIC2* Championships.
There are still some big names yet to compete in the dressage, including Pippa Funnell (Billy the Biz), Andrew Hoy (Cheeky Calimbo) andBeanie Sturgis(Lebowski).
‘No Ferrari’
In the CIC3* for eight-and-nine-year-olds, last year’s winner Jonelle Price leads the class again. This year the New Zealander is riding Cloud Dancer II, an eight-year-old who she bought with Jacky Green as a just-broken four-year-old.
“He’s smart – he moves very well, especially for an event horse, so I feel a bit of a responsibility to produce something a bit special,” said Jonelle. “He’s no Ferrari across country but he gives it his best – a few seconds in hand would be handy!”
Alex Hua Tian is currently lying second with Don Geniro, while Irish rider Jonty Evans is third on Rorkes Drift.