Chris Burton and Clever Louis are currently in 19th after dressage and showjumping at the Bicton International Horse Trials. © Hannah Cole Photography
By Equestrian Life
The attention of the eventing world has turned to the Bicton International Horse Trials in the UK this weekend, as riders make final plays for Olympic selection.
The competition in the CCI4*-L is heating up with the final show jumping phase set to take place tonight. Currently leading the field after the cross country is British rider Nicola Wilson on JL Dublin. Snapping closing at her heels is Piggy March and Vanir Kamira with less than one penalty separating the combinations.
For the Aussies in the CCI4*-L, Sammi Birch is leading the pack in 24th place on Finduss PFB. After a dressage test that delivered a score of 38.1, Sammi and Finduss PFB collected 14.8 penalties on the demanding cross country course at Bicton. Following behind is Bill Levett who is currently sitting in 28th place on Huberthus AC and also in 39th place with Lates Quin.
Bill Levett and Huberthus AC at the Bicton International Horse Trials 2021. © Hannah Cole Photography
After starting strong with a dressage score of 30.6 that placed them in 12th place, Chris Burton and Leopard’s Action were eliminated from the CCI4*-L in the cross country.
The full results for the CCI4*-L can be found here.
In the CCI4*-S, the Aussies are holding their own in the first two phases of dressage and showjumping with Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam currently in 8th place. His only ride in the CCI4*-S, Kevin collected 24.9 penalties in the dressage on Friday and jumped clear in the showjumping yesterday.
Chris Burton is currently placing 10th after jumping clear on Quality Purdey, and is also in 19th place on Clever Louis after picking up an unlucky 4 penalties in the jumping to add to their dressage score of 24.2.
Following close behind Chris in 20th place is Sammi Birch and The Kincooley Ceili. Sammi is also currently sitting in 28th place with Hunter Valley II after they picked up 4 penalties in their showjumping.
Sammi Birch and Finduss PFB during the dressage phase at the Bicton International Horse Trials. © Hannah Cole Photography
Sam Griffiths and Paulank Kings River are currently in 58th place after an unlucky jumping round added 8 jumping penalties and 2 time penalties to their dressage score of 29. And Sophie Adams and Ridire Dorcha are in 67th place going into the cross country phase over Sunday night.
Lissa Green and Diamond Sundance were eliminated during the showjumping.
The current leader of the CCI4*-S is British rider Tom McEwan riding Toledo De Kerser. The full results of the class can be found here.
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