Coburg comes home spot on the time

Max Warburton takes the advanced intermediate with a perfectly timed run, as this popular event returns

- CATHERINE AUSTEN

Keyflow Barbury Castle, Wilts

MAX WARBURTON, the final rider on course after three full days of competition, provided an unusually exciting climax to proceedings by urging Coburg home to finish exactly on the optimum time of 6min 14sec and therefore win the advanced intermediate.

With just 0.4 of a penalty in hand over Emily Young-Jamieson and Klaas-Jan B, Max had no wiggle room to add anything to his dressage mark of 29.6 on Karla Wheatcroft's 10-year-old, and commentator Candy Burnyeat did a masterful job of creating tension and atmosphere for the remaining spectators.

Max, who also finished third on Badminton-bound Deerpairc Revelry, said: “Coburg had to dig in on the hills. He wouldn't be the fastest of horses, but he’s a real trier and a lovely jumper, and he’s been brilliant here.”

Barbury has made a very welcome return to the affiliated calendar for the first time since 2022, and it must be hoped that this spectacular venue will once again become an international showcase fixture.

Max added: “The ground has been fantastic - I've run my horses quickly and the ones who competed earlier in the weekend have come out of it really well. The undulations make it quite a tough test and it’s lovely to have Barbury back.”

LUCKY 13

THERE were 13 intermediate, open intermediate (OI) and advanced intermediate sections in total, and New Zealand's Clarke Johnstone was the only rider to win more than one. He took OI section A on 10-year-old Rocket Man and section C with Menlo Park, his Paris Olympics horse, now 15.