The 4* Barbury King… Andrew Nicholson does it again!

Posted on July 29, 2021 by Categories: Blogs

Andrew Nicholson has claimed yet another 4* crown here at Barbury, making it a total of six wins in this highly sought-after class.

This was his second consecutive win with the lovely grey, Swallow Springs, owned by Diana and Paul Ridgeon. They finished on a score of 39.3.

Presentation number six! (Libby Law)

“From win number one to win number six it all feels very good,” said Andrew, reflecting on his success. “I like coming here. It’s my local event, the ground’s always beautiful and Swallow Springs felt superb going around here today.

“He is a hardened 5* horse. He can go around Badminton and Burghley like it’s a walk In the park so, for him, this has just been a fun workout. That’s what you like with these older horses that you’ve trained from the beginning and competed. It’s very rewarding for me and makes my job very easy to be able to go fast on a horse that you know knows his job – he knows what I want, he knows what every fence looks like and enjoys doing it.”

Flying into the water (Hannah Cole Photography)

Wills Oakden enjoyed a good weekend finishing second with Macgregors Cooley (41.3) and Fiona Kashel completed the top three with Drumhowan Black Magic (41.3).

A FIRST 3* WIN FOR ALEXANDRA FARRAR-FRY AND GREY FINNSKY

The smile on Alexandra Farrar-fry’s face and the cheers of her connections said it all, when she realised she had won her first 3* with Dr Marium Haque’s, Grey Finnsky. Finishing on a score of 32.1 they performed consistently across the three phases to secure the win.

A first 3* win for Alexandra Farrar-fry

“I never expected to win a 3* in my life,” said Alexandra. “He’s just been phenomenal. He’s gone double clear and done it in style, so I’m very, very happy.

“He had all of last year off because he fractured his pedal bone and fractured his jaw, so this is actually his return to eventing this season. He won the 2* at Belsay and this is his third 3* and he’s won a 3* now, so he’s on the up, it’s very exciting.

“Barbury is just the most amazing place. The minute you pull in with the rolling hills and everything, it’s just an event like no other. I just think it’s amazing and I’d say to everyone, once in your lifetime come to Barbury.”

Jo Rimmer and Lisnaught Lady Cruise posted one of the fastest cross country times of the day to finish in second on a score of 33.9, just ahead of Daisy Berkeley and Ballinteskin Cooper S – who finished on the same score of 33.9 but was slightly slower cross country.

NOVICE MASTERS UNDERWAY

We are so excited to be hosting the Novice Masters at Barbury International Horse Trials, a brand new British Eventing competition for combinations competing at Novice, with some fabulous prizes and Goody Bags.

Great goody bags for Novice Masters competitors

Our current dressage leaders after Day One are Melissa Joannides and Prometheus II on 25.8. In second we have Saskia Davies and Singing USK (26.3) and completing the top three, as it stands at the moment, is John Westmore with Oughterard Quality (27.9).

Tomorrow the remaining competitors will do their dressage and then it will be full steam ahead to the jumping phases! Keep an eye on this exciting new competition as it reaches its conclusion tomorrow.

OUR NATIONAL CLASS WINNERS ON SATURDAY WERE:

Pony Trial Section M – Olive Nicholls and Kingston David (32.1)

Novice Section N – Ella Dalton and Chantilly Amatullah (22.7)

Novice Section O – Andrew Nicholson and El Platanito (31.9)

DON’T MISS THE ACTION

Don’t forget you can catch all of Sunday’s cross country action live on Horse & Country TV. H&C+ members can watch it via their app or website on BE TV: https://app.horseandcountry.tv/betv.

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