EMILY KING and Valmy Biats led a world-class field from start to finish, successfully defending their Lycetts Grantham Cup title.
The pair’s win here 12 months ago was their biggest to date. One year on and with the wealth of a further season of five-star experience under their belts, this was seismic for different reasons.
As the first CC4*-S of the British eventing season, the Grantham Cup is always a high-quality class, used by many of the world’s best as a competitive run on their pathway to spring five-stars. With the Paris Olympics on the horizon and combinations hoping to catch the eye of selectors, 2024 was a vintage year in front of a record crowd.
“It was the smoothest, easiest, in-sync cross-country round I think I’ve ever had with him,” said Emily, who owns the 15-year-old gelding with his breeder Philippe Brivois and the Valmy Biats Syndicate.
“Normally, he’s quite lairy, really brave and strong – you have to really set up for everything. I had what I needed to do everywhere planned, but I didn’t need to as he was doing it on his own.”
Big-stage exposure over the past year, including three five-star starts, has contributed to Valmy’s improvements. His leading dressage score of 23.2 was an international career best and put him on equal standing after the first phase with world champions Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir.
Valmy, who lives out, enjoys the early spring ground and jumped double clear with the second-fastest cross-country time to win comfortably on 29.6 – the sole sub-30 finishing score in both CCI4*-S sections.
Denne historien er fra April 04, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 04, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
'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
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
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions
