Canter clocks up a double

Ros Canter dominates both the CCI3*-L sections, while slick jumping from Emily King and William Fox-Pitt earns them a victory apiece

- LUCY ELDER

Saracen Horse Feeds Houghton International, Norfolk

WORLD champion Ros Canter kept her cool under pressure in Houghton’s crucible of a main arena to win both CCI3*-L classes.

Ros cantered into the showjumping as overnight leader and last rider to jump in both sections, and there was little room for error.

Ros and the “really honest” nine-year-old mare Shannondale Nadia had one fence in hand in section B, and she had just a handful of time penalties to play with in order to retain her lead in section C aboard Izilot DHI. But Ros is world champion for a reason and she produced two textbook showjumping rounds, stopping the clock just over the optimum time for 0.4 of a time penalty with both horses.

“Shannondale Nadia has taken a little bit of working out, but she’s the most genuine, lovely, laid-back mare,” said Ros.

Ros and the mare’s owner, Sharon Bayston, bought her as a three-year-old from Shannondale Stud and it has been a “team effort” with help from Caroline Moore to find the key.

“I’ve learnt that I must communicate a lot more with her all the way around the course. Whereas I would naturally just like to ride with a soft hand and a steady rhythm, with her she needs a bit of help after every fence,” said Ros.

She added that her section C winner, Izilot DHI, whom she co-owns with Nick and Alex Moody, is a “class horse” for the future.

Section B incorporated the British under-21 championships, won by Oliver Jackson and Viktor Krum, who were also second overall (see box, below), with Laura Collett and Moonlight Charmer third (29.9).