Bramham International Horse Trials 2007 DAY 3

As duly produced by top PR officer Frances Sutton !

9^th June 2006

CROSS COUNTRY INFLUENCES BRAMHAM RESULT

Sue Benson’s cross country course proved influential in an exciting day of competition at Bramham International Horse Trials in Yorkshire today.  Over 23,000 spectators enjoyed the blazing sunshine as 33 competitors in the Under 25 CI*** and 54 competitors in the Senior CCI*** tackled the 28 fences and combinations.

The overnight leader, with a score of 51.5 following a clear cross country with only 3.2 time penalties, is Yorkshire rider Nicola Wilson riding Skiver.  Nicola said “I am absolutely thrilled. The course rode bigger than I expected but it was lovely, forward and galloping”.    In second place overnight is Pippa Funnell on Ensign and in third place is Polly Stockton on Westwood Joker.  Less than one point separates the top four riders going into the show jumping tomorrow.

Overnight leader, New Zealander Andrew Nicholson, who was hoping to repeat his winning performance of last year, fell at Fence 3 on Ginger May Killinghurst and World Champion Zara Phillips fell at Fence 7 on Tsunami II and retired.

In the Bishop Burton College Under 25 CCI***23 yr old Emily Galbraith leads into the Show Jumping with a score of 54.8 on her own bay gelding Crown Alliance.  After a clear cross country with no time penalties she goes into the Show Jumping with a four point lead.   She was one of only two riders in the Under 25 CCI*** and only seven riders in total who completed the course with no time penalties.   She said “I was a little nervous as this was my first three day three star event and it is rather a shock to find myself in the lead at the end of the day”.  Lying in second place is Oliver Townend on Eldmire Foxy Lady, one of his four rides of the day, and in third place is Daniel Leech on ex-racehorse Squire Tat.

The veterinary inspection starts at 8.30am tomorrow morning in front of Bramham House.  The Bishop Burton Under 25 CCI*** Show Jumping starts at 10.30am, followed by the Rensburg Sheppard Mix and Match Competition.  The Senior CCI*** Show Jumping starts at 2.00pm and the day culminates with the Holroyd Construction Grand Prix at 4.00pm.