Bettina Hoy led from pilar to post with Seigneur Medicott, finishing on her dressage score of 35.3, while team mate Julia Krajewski also kept a clean sheet on Samourai du Thot to take the runner up spot. With Andreas Ostholt placing fifth on So Is Et the German team completed on a score of 122.2.
“Houghton courses are always educational which is why we love to come,” said Bettina. “Seigneur Medicott won the two star here in 2015, and he's so reliable in his movements and loves to look his best in the [dressage] arena. I thought this year the three star was more technical than before but the ground was perfect, it's no wonder we come back.”
Julia Krajewski's Samourai du Thot has also been a winner at Houghton, claiming the one star in 2013. “The organisers at Houghton always put so much work in to make the event the best it can be – that's why we like to ride here.”
Great Britain finished second with a team score of 142.5. Despite a rather exciting ride through the influential picnic table and corners at fences 18 and 19, Collien P 2 completed on her dressage score of 45.7 in individual fourth place, one penalty ahead of Oliver Townend's team ride Arctic Mouse, that penalty leaving Oliver in 7th. Piggy French and Vanir Kamira took 11th place and Georgie Strang on Cooley Earl 14th.
Will has only had the ride on Collien P 2 for just over a year and he describes her as quite feisty. “This was my first selection for a Nations Cup team and I really wanted to make a good debut – although I hadn't expected to finish best of the Brits. My goal is to make my mark in Nations Cup teams, and hopefully the series will be a good stepping stone for my career between Young Riders and Senior selection.”
The United States team of Hannah Sue Burnett, Caroline Martin and Katherine Coleman took third place on a score of 160.9 with New Zealand fourth on 240.8.
Away from the Nations Cup results where team members filled six of the top 10 placings (Bettina Hoy in 1st, Julia Krajewski 2nd, Will Furlong 4th, Andreas Ostholt 5th, Oliver Townend 7th and Hannah Sue Burnett 10th), Pippa Funnell led the British charge riding Billy The Biz in to third place with a dressage score completion, Oliver Townend also placing sixth on Note Worthy and eighth with Cooley SRS.
CCI2* and CCI1*
Piggy French posted her second international win since the birth of her and partner Tom March's baby, Max, on the same day as her first. She led the two star throughout, riding Morswood to finish on her dressage score, ahead of Laura Collett on Dacapo and Gemma Tattersall riding Billy Senora.
Piggy had already won the one star on Jennifer Saunders's Cooley Monsoon. “This is amazing for Jennifer because the horse is still inexperienced,” said Piggy. “He's always shown potential, but he's still learning his job. I came here hoping for a top 10 finish, and thinking top five if all went really well, so I'm delighted.”
Event Director Alec Lochore commented: “It's been a great weekend of sport – in the international classes, the additional classes, and not forgetting the East Anglian Air Ambulance camel racing where Andreas Ostholt and Ben Way were particularly competitive!”
For more information on any aspect of this year's FEI Saracen Horse Feeds Houghton International Horse Trials, visit http://www.musketeer.co.uk