A successful Oasby Horse Trials helps welcome riders back to the sport after a turbulent two years
Many of the country’s leading event riders converged on Oasby Horse Trials (1) last weekend (10th-13th March 2022), with Olympic and European medallists keen to give their horses both young and established an established team early-season run at this much loved Lincolnshire fixture. With the pandemic almost behind us, Oasby, alongside other fixtures opening up this year’s British Eventing season, give us a glimmer of excitement on what’s to come over months ahead.
World Number One, Oliver Townend was a (very busy) man on a mission with a plethora of rides heading to the winners’ enclosure. The hugely talented grey Cooley Rosalent (feature image) took one of the keenly fought Open Intermediate sections (I) starting on a great dressage score, clear show jumping and just a few time penalties on the cross-country. Samiro Cruze MC finished 1st place in the Novice Section O following a 31.3 dressage score, clear showjumping round and only 1.6-time penalties cross country. Townend also enjoyed top of the leader board success riding Dolmen Debenture (BE100 Sunday Y1) and French Exchange (BE100 Thursday F2).
European gold medallists Nicola Wilson and JL Dublin continued last season’s fantastic form to head Open Intermediate Section J.
While Piggy March and Brookfield Innocent took claim to Open Intermediate Section M, when leader Olympic team gold medallist, Laura Collett and London 52 incurred four time penalties on the cross-country after a stellar performance in the dressage section.
Eliza Stoddart and Codebreaker captured Intermediate Section H, the attractive bay gelding delighting all connections.
Oliver, Piggy and Nicola were also very busy throughout with their younger horses. Nicola captured a Novice section on Jack Daniels LZ, and Piggy led one of the BE 100 Open sections on Brookfield Kept in the Darco.
Oliver’s young horses hit the competition season running with French Exchange and Dolma Debenture both heading a BE100 section and Samiro Cruze MC capturing a Novice.
The line-up was second to none at Oasby with many riders bringing their top horses to take part in the Open Intermediate section and get their season underway.
Held over flat ground with just one valley, the cross country course was designed to give horses and riders a confidence-building first event of the season. Over the course of three days, 12 classes are run, playing host to a selection of talented horses and riders hoping to forge a path for themselves in the eventing discipline. Without naming and presenting results for all, here are a few images from other combinations that competed.
Image Gallery – with thanks to John Rowley
Oasby was a fantastic four days with riders getting their season underway and it was wonderful to have so much support.
Oasby provides a fantastic first event for many competitors as they get their competitive year started and we were really pleased with the top class sport.
Said organiser Stuart Buntine
For further information please visit www.bede-events.co.uk
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Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.