Barefoot Retreats FEI Burnham Market International Day 1

Norfolk riders had a successful first day at Barefoot Retreats FEI Burnham Market International. Twenty-year-old Indie Vaughan-Jones had four rides, and went home with four top 10 rosettes, including a win on Cool Blue.

“Cool Blue was bred by his owner, Annie Borrett, and this was the mare’s first run at BE100 level,” said a delighted Indie. “The new cross country course rode really well, it was great to have different questions – although the water jump was quite tough, and there was a big table fence which surprised her a bit, but she will undoubtedly have learnt a lot today.”

Two of Indie’s other rides had been bought by Indie unseen, Cool Choice as two-year-old from Newmarket. “She was wild when she arrived, but only cost me £1. Cuffesgrange Diamond Echo came over from Ireland and finished second today. I bought both when mum was on holiday, she just came home to find them in the field!”

Indie, who used to work for British team gold medallist Ros Canter, is in her last year of Young Riders and will be targetting her top horse, Quob Dynamic, at selection for this year’s Young Rider Europeans. Failing that, she hopes to step up to Three Star level by the end of the season.

Fellow Norfolk rider, 16-year-old Alice Casburn, finished third and sixth in the Under 18 section. Higher placed Raediant Rubi was a gift, whilst her second ride Rally is a home-bred. A student at Reepham High School, Alice would love to ride professionally – but first has the small matter of GCSEs to negotiate.

James Sommerville, Bosco Turner and Emma Corner claimed the remaining BE100 sections.

The ‘novice’ competitors (it’s a misleading term, the fences they jump are 1m10 as opposed to 1m for BE100 level) were also in action today. The aforementioned Ros Canter claimed a win of her own riding Lordships Graffalo, with Suffolk riders Annabel Jackson and Sophie Dutton in 5th and 6th places behind her. Jane Riley took the top spot in the second novice section on Sam Spade, with NicolaWilson and Beltane Queen victorious in the Open Novice.

British ladies dominate the headline Three Star class at the end of the first day of dressage. Pippa Funnell lies in first and fourth places on Billy Beware and MGH Grafton Street respectively, with European bronze medallists Nicola Wilson and Bulana in second, Gemma Tattersall and Arctic Soul third, and Izzy Taylor with Springpower fifth.

Oliver Townend and Coldplay III have a narrow lead in the Two Star, ahead of Ireland’s Aoife Clarke on Calling Card, but there is still all to play for tomorrow. The dressage action starts at 8.30am, showjumping at 8.45am and cross country at 9.30am.