Oliver Townend takes an early lead at the Barefoot Retreats Houghton International Horse Trials

The Barefoot Retreats Houghton International Horse Trials got underway today, with the first of the riders in the CCI 2*-L, CCI 3*-L and CCI 4*O-S performing their dressage tests against the stunning backdrop of Houghton Hall.

World Number One, Oliver Townend has continued his recent run of form, by taking an early lead in both the CCI 2*-L and CCI 4*O-S competitions at the halfway point in the dressage. 

British riders fill the top six places in the CCI 2*-L at this early stage, with Oliver and Sir John Peace’s gelding, Finley Du Loir leading the field by a gap of four penalties. The rest of the top placings in this class are currently very tight, with Saffron Cresswell and Vivendi Hero (second), Eliza Stoddart and Kadans (third) and Piggy March and Cooley Anything You Like (fourth) all sitting on an overall score of 27.1 after the first day.

 “I couldn’t be happier with his performance today,” said Oliver of Finley Du Loir. “He has a great brain and is a natural horse for the dressage – great mover, very flashy type.”

In the CCI 4*O-S, a lovely test with Paul and Diana Ridgeon’s eight-year-old mare, Cooley Rosalent put Oliver at the top of the scoreboard once again, ahead of New Zealand’s Jesse Campbell and Gambesie in second. Georgie Spence completes the top three in this class at the end of the first day with Fanta Boy, for Great Britain.

Oliver was delighted with the performance of the young mare, Cooley Rosalent. “She is only seven coming eight this year and she is punching way above her weight,” he said. “She’s beaten horses that are a lot more established today. She’s the youngest horse in the class I believe and I couldn’t be more pleased with her performance today.”

It’s another run of top placings for the British riders after day one in the CCI 3*-L. One of the first to go, Georgie Campbell finished the day at the top of the scoreboard with Darcy De La Rose. Their score of 25.4 put them ahead of Mark Davidson and Cooley Goodwood in second (26.4) and Lucinda Atkinson and Dancing Revolution, third (28.6).

Tomorrow sees Day Two of dressage, where the rest of the riders in these international classes will perform their tests and competition gets underway in the British Young Rider Championship and the hotly anticipated, FEI Eventing Nations Cup.