‘Biggest win’ for Clark Montgomery at Blenheim

Clark Montgomery has won the CCI3* at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, becoming the third American to win the event in its 25-year history.

Biggest win

Riding Holly and William Becker’s Loughan Glen, Clark led from the start with an impressive dressage score of 33.8pen. The pair jumped clear within the time allowed on the cross-country, which meant they had two fences in hand going into the final phase.

Leaving nothing to chance Clark produced another clear to win the competition with a 8.1pen lead. The US rider is hoping his performance is enough to secure his place at next year’s Rio Olympics.

“I couldn’t have done a better job to get selected, but you never know,” said Clark. “It’s the biggest win of my career and it feels fantastic.”

The good wife

Clark and his wife Jessica, who was acting as his groom at the event, moved to the UK three years ago and are currently based at Captain Mark Phillips’ farm in Gloucestershire.

“The reason I’m here [in Britain] is that it’s so much more competitive,” said Clark.

Christopher Burton’s good form continues, and he came second riding on Nobilis 18 (42pen). The Australian rider’s strong performance follows his third and fourth placing at Burghley.

‘Dream season’

Kitty King, who came third on Tattersalls CCI3* winner Ceylor LAN (44.4pen), has also had a great year. She hot-footed it to Blenheim from Blair Castle in Scotland, where she was the highest placed Brit out of the silver medal-winning team at the Europeans.

“It’s been a dream season,” said Kitty, who lives near Chippenham, Wiltshire. “This was a big test for this horse because he’s not full thoroughbred and is only eight, but he galloped all the way to the end and he show jumped beautifully.”

‘Genuine and brave’

In the CIC3* for eight-and nine-year-olds Jonelle Price became the first rider to score consecutive victories. This year she was riding Cloud Dancer ll, who is owned by a syndicate of six women.

The pair had more than 10 time-penalties in hand going into the cross-country. This was exactly what the New Zealander had hoped for, as she described the eight-year-old Dutch warmblood as “no Ferrari”. She incurred 8.8 time penalties, but it was still enough to win the class.

“He’s a very different type to Faerie Dianamo [the 2014 winner] but it’s horses for courses,” said Jonelle. “He’s got so much quality in the dressage and jumping and he’s genuine and brave so I think he’s got a future in the sport.”

Emotional

In second place was Frenchman Astier Nicolas, who was one of nine riders to achieve the optimum time on board Spes Addit Or. Ireland’s Jonty Evans came third with Cooley Rorkes Drift.

“This horse is so good that I’ve had to raise my game,” said an emotional Jonty. “We’re not a big yard, so to have one like him means a lot. I think he’s going to be competitive. I want to go to Rio!”

Jonty got the ride on the nine-year-old when he stopped to help owner Fiona Elliott after her lorry broke down. “The horse hasn’t left my yard since!” said Jonty.