Just weeks before representing Great Britain at the FEI World Championships in Aachen, Caroline Harris enjoyed a confidence-boosting victory at Burgham International Horse Trials, guiding the talented Cooley Riddle Master to success in the Jack-Thomas Watson Horses CCI2-S.*
Harris led from the outset after posting a dressage score of 26.3 with the six-year-old gelding, adding nothing in either the showjumping or cross-country phases to seal an impressive wire-to-wire victory.
Owned by Lucy Matthews, Penelope Makins, Marie Anne Richardson and Jim Chromiak, Cooley Riddle Master was contesting his first international event and his first stay-away competition, making the performance all the more encouraging.
“This is his first ever international and his first ever stay-away event, and he’s taken it all in his stride,” said Harris.
“I think it’s been great for him. He’s learnt from it and got better every day.”
The British rider believes the Conthargos-sired gelding has all the ingredients to become a championship horse in the years ahead.
“Now he’s got the balance, I’d say he’s the most talented horse I’ve ever sat on on the flat, and he’s a fabulous jumper,” she said.
“He doesn’t really understand how to gallop yet, but today he started to open up, travel and really ‘get it’. I think he is a real championship horse for the future, so we want to educate him but look after him over the next few years.”
Townend finishes second
Seven-time Burgham CCI4*-S winner and Olympic gold medallist Oliver Townend finished runner-up aboard Andrew Cawthray’s Kylemore Cool Hero on a score of 29.1.
The former showjumper continues to impress as he progresses through the eventing ranks.
“He’s coming through the grades very quickly,” said Townend.
“I thought today was probably the best he’s gone so far. He feels like he’s going to be a very good horse in the future.”
Ireland’s Susie Berry completed the podium with Purple Rain.
Away from the international action, Burgham also hosted its annual Thoroughbred and Ex-Racehorse Show. Abigail Smith and Black Friday claimed the Hexham Racecourse-sponsored championship, while former Group One star Lord Glitters, shown by Amber Blythe, won the Tattersalls Retraining of Racehorses Open In-Hand Show Series qualifier.
Around 850 horses competed across five days of international, national and unaffiliated competition, with Event Director Craig Anderson describing it as “one of the best Burghams I can remember.”
