A tight battle
Horse & Hound|May 11, 2023
Lordships Graffalo relishes the atmosphere to head up an all-British top eight after the first phase
GEMMA STEVENS
A tight battle

IN a closely fought battle for the lead in the first phase, Ros Canter squeaked to the top with the wise-beyond-his-years Lordships Graffalo. Scoring 22.1 in the Saturday afternoon post-coronation break, Ros and “Walter” were the closest combination to the 80% barrier, with the judge at B, Andrew Bennie, awarding them 79.42%.

“He has been steadily improving all winter and it’s exciting to be able to show him at his best,” said Ros.

Although Ros and Walter didn’t manage to score a 10, the consistency of the 11-year old gelding’s work was a joy to watch, with no big mistakes.

“He just loves his work and the atmosphere,” said Ros. “If the crowd had stamped their feet, he’d have danced even more. That’s why he’s such a wonderful event horse.”

Oliver Townend had been the long-time leader with his first ride, Swallow Springs, but Kitty King put a stop to that when she entered the arena in increasingly soggy conditions just after 8.30am on Saturday with Vendredi Biats.

This impressive grey is so consistent in the first phase now – they led the dressage at Burghley in 2022 with 21.2 – and they scored 22.3 this time around to sit second.

Kitty’s scoresheet was littered with eights, and they pulled in nines for their smart rein-back and expressive flying changes, as well as a 10 for their beautiful halt at C.

“He was super. He couldn’t have gone any better,” exclaimed Kitty. “He’s great in sloppy ground and was having a great time splashing about in there. He stayed really with me and comes into his own at three-days – at one-days he can be a bit ‘normal’.”

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 11, 2023-Ausgabe von Horse & Hound.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 11, 2023-Ausgabe von Horse & Hound.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS HORSE & HOUNDAlle anzeigen
Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Horse & Hound

Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test

Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
September 12, 2024
Michael Eilberg
Horse & Hound

Michael Eilberg

The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport

time-read
7 Minuten  |
September 12, 2024
Schooling success
Horse & Hound

Schooling success

Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils

time-read
5 Minuten  |
September 12, 2024
How to get a job in hunting
Horse & Hound

How to get a job in hunting

The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers

time-read
7 Minuten  |
September 12, 2024
Burke's Affair to remember
Horse & Hound

Burke's Affair to remember

A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie

time-read
4 Minuten  |
September 12, 2024
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
Horse & Hound

Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory

After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix

time-read
4 Minuten  |
September 12, 2024
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
Horse & Hound

Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory

After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix

time-read
4 Minuten  |
September 12, 2024
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
Horse & Hound

'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'

The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events

time-read
4 Minuten  |
September 12, 2024
Hamlett takes centre stage
Horse & Hound

Hamlett takes centre stage

Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible

time-read
4 Minuten  |
September 12, 2024
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Horse & Hound

'This is the ultimate five-star test'

Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions

time-read
3 Minuten  |
September 12, 2024