Sun shines on the Eventing Spring Carnival with familiar faces gracing the turf

The who’s who of the eventing world turned up last weekend to take part in the Eventing Spring Carnival on the magnificent Thoresby Estate, in Nottinghamshire. With a spectacular array of classes taking place over three days, it was definitely worth basking in the sunshine that filled the estate to watch more of this year’s eventing circuit get underway.

Warner Hotels Friday

Friday started with three novice sections, followed by the CCI-2*S and the Intermediate, all coming to a fitting finale.

Novice Sections winners included Saffron Creswell on Vivendi Hero, Gemma Tattersall and Chilli King, and Heidi Cloy with Clonshire on Trend following their superb performances over the picturesque parkland.

The stunning grey, De Pleasure and Eliza Stoddart continued their winning ways when heading the CCI-2*S much to the delight of all connections.

A brilliant effort in the dressage saw Ricky Hilton and Bank C IV take the honours in Intermediate Section E over Emily Walker and Piggy March who started their Eventing Spring Carnival campaign with great results.

Competitors praised Stuart Buntine’s courses and also the superb old turf of the Thoresby Estate, while the new walled garden dressage arenas proved a huge hit. The excellent grounding in the international showjumping arena also meant horses were jumping at their best.

Image Gallery – with thanks to John Rowley

Investec Saturday

Saturday arrived in bright sunshine with competitors and spectators set for a busy day across Open Intermediate, Open Intermediate Under 21 and CCI-3*S sections.

Gemma Tattersall’s fantastic form continued with a vengeance, the busy rider triumphing in two Open Intermediate sections with Flash Cooley and Johan-Some.

It was the turn of Anya Strilkawski and K in the Under 21 section just holding off Ellie Fredericks and Pure Trendsetter.

Felicity Collins and Go Fly were also on great form when securing Open Intermediate Section I.

The 10-year-old Hollywood Dancer and Dani Evans fought off a two-pronged challenge from Oliver Townend when heading the Investec CCI-3*S for owner Ann Butler.

Bristol-based Dani said:

I knew she had a good win in her and she was on great form today.

The plan is to get a 3* long run with her before moving up to a 4* short.  Thoresby is an amazing venue and we are very fortunate to be here.

The event is so well presented and as riders we couldn’t ask for a more superb event.”

Image Gallery – with thanks to John Rowley

Lycetts Sunday

Sunday saw competitors all set for the Lycetts Grantham Cup CCI-4*S and two Lycetts Advanced sections with major spoils to compete for.

In Advanced Under 25 Section it was Heidi Coy and Halenza who just pipped a busy Bubby Upton by the narrowest of margins. Bubby had great runs on the chestnut Billy Liffy and Magic Roundabout IV to take home second and third spots.

Said Heidi:

What a fantastic event and a great venue for her first big win.  I really enjoyed the cross-country there were enough challenges and the ground was excellent.”

Advanced Section K provided a good win for Arthur Duffort and Toronto DAurois over Sarah Bullimore and Tina Cook who were both on great form with Corquet and Billy The Red.

Said Arthur:

We are on the wait list for Badminton and our win has set us up well for the season.  It is a beautiful event and a great addition to the calendar.”

The final section of the event was the Lycetts supported CCI-4*S which went to Piggy March and Brookfield Innocent who made the cross-country look easy throughout. On form, Bubby Upton and Cola III took the runner up spot from Laura Collette and London 52 another to look in superlative form.

Said Piggy:

I really enjoyed the run, we are entered at Burham but he has had a great run today so we will see how things go before Badminton. He is a naturally fast horse and it was great to let him run on the superb going.”

After a fantastic three says Bubby was again in the winner’s enclosure when finishing joint leader in the Animalintex Leading Rider Award with Gemma Tattersall to round off a truly fantastic new addition to the eventing calendar.

The Eventing Spring Carnival is organised and run by BEDE Events, to learn more visit www.bede-events.co.uk

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