Kay and Harthill Samba produced three polished phases to finish on their dressage score of 29.6, securing the win against a 41-strong field.
“We had a super show,” Kay said. “Charlie is a horse that I have a tremendous amount of faith in, but it’s taken us a bit of time to get on the same page in the dressage arena. The last few outings we’ve had together I’ve felt like we are getting closer and closer, and at Strzegom it all clicked.”
The result marks a significant step forward for the partnership, with Kay adding, “[Harthill Samba] consistently runs double clear and I believe he has everything it takes to be a championship horse – we are aiming for LA28.”
Kay also stepped out in the CCI4*L with Bluefields For Cello, delivering a solid overall performance to finish 12th. The pair sat eighth after dressage before a strong cross-country round saw them climb to fifth. However, 13.6 penalties in the final jumping phase proved costly, pushing them down the leaderboard.
“Cello holds a very special place in my heart,” Kay said. “Purchased together with my long-term owners Jo and Jeff Keyte as a five-year-old, he is starting to really hit his straps. He did a very consistent dressage test and then absolutely blitzed the cross-country.”
Reflecting on the round, she added: “I remember coming to the second paddock and thinking, ‘I’ve missed a fence, I’m too fast, it’s been too easy!’ He is an absolute star cross-country horse, and I was so proud that he could really shine out there.”
While the show jumping phase proved challenging, Kay remains optimistic about the horse’s progression. “Jumping is always a bit tricky, but we’ve worked a lot over the last few months and he is showing improvement.”
The CCI4*L class was dominated by New Zealand combinations, with Jesse Campbell taking top honours aboard Speedwell. The pair added just 1.6 time penalties on cross-country to finish on a winning score of 27.1.
Compatriot Samantha Lissington also impressed across the divisions. Lissington finished fourth in the CCI4*L with Lucas Stone on a score of 32.5, while claiming victory in the CCI4*S with her other ride, Delarado.
Lissington and Delarado were the only combination in the field to produce a double clear performance, finishing on their dressage score of 30.2. Originally placing seventh after dressage, their faultless jumping efforts saw them secure the win.
For full results, click here.
