This was Houghton International Eventing

This was Houghton International Eventing

The FEI Nations Cup produced a convincing win for the New Zealand team when Mark Todd topped the individual leaderboard riding NZB Campino and Lizzie Brown took second place, Henton Attorney General the only horse in the class to beat the cross country optimum time.


 


Lizzie declared herself thrilled with the result. “It was great to be part of such a cool team. The Nations Cup is a really fun concept and we kept the pressure on each other all weekend.


 


Andreas Ostholt led the German challenge, finishing 3rd on So Is Et. He was ably supported by Claas Hermann Romeike, the son of 2008 double Olympic gold medal winner Hinrich. Claas filled 5th place riding Cato 60 in what was his first appearance in the German Nations Cup team, giving the Germans second place on the podium. His father admitted: “I'm so proud that Claas is part of the team here – I hope there will be plenty of Championships to come for him.”


 


The British team were unable to defend their unbeaten record at Houghton, finishing in 3rd place, ahead of the French.


 


CCI*


The CCI* provided a thrilling finish today, with one show jump pole separating the top eight at the end of the cross country. Lincolnshire's Ros Canter held her nerve and her place at the top of the table to secure the win when joint leader Tim Cheffings's ride Donateur lowered the first part of the final treble.


 


“I'm never confident of a win but I knew coming there that if I could get the flatwork nailed on the day, Cekatinka is a good jumper and we could do well.” said Ros. “It's the first time I have led from the front, but being in the Nations Cup team was a great distraction and stopped me getting too nervous.”


 


The cross country phase had not had too big an impact on the dressage leaderboard, with only one of the dressage top 10 dropping out of the running – Tina Cook parted company from Billy The Red in the water. Saturday's show jumping left Tim Cheffings down from equal first to 5th and 3rd placed Tom Rowland dropping to 6th. A clear round by Billy Cuckoo moved Pippa Funnell up in to 2nd, and the same from Woodlander Wesuvio put JP Sheffield in the final podium placing.


 
CCI**


In the CCI**, which concludes with their show jumping tomorrow, Canada's Rebecca Howard has moved into the top spot on Xavier Faer, up from 5th, Willa Newton is in 2nd on Chance Remark, up from 11th, and dressage leader Lara de Liedekerke now in 3rd after picking up time penalties.


In the Askham Bryan Under 21 Championships Sophie Beaty has moved into the lead riding Navigator. The ex-William Fox-Pitt ride was the only horse to come home inside the optimum time, heavy rain early in the day having made the conditions more testing. The dressage leaders are out of the competition - David Doel withdrew Miss Caruso before the cross country while Sophie How retired Bojangles HRS on course.