How the course is riding
Defender Burghley pathfinder and current world number one Harry Meade will have settled some riders nerves with a solid clear round from Et Hop Du Matz, picking up 2.4 time-penalties.
Harry did have a lucky
escape when the horse chipped in a stride ahead of the penultimate
fence, the Quilter Cheviot Lamberts Sofa, leaving Harry up his neck
near his ears. Fortunately he regained the saddle to complete.
Samantha Lissington
also jumped a good clear for 5.6 time penalties. Remarkably, Billy
Alberto was competing at novice level just 18 months ago. Also clear
were Lauren Innes and the experienced Global Fision M.
Irish Olympian Austin
O'Connor and five-star first-timer Sixmilewater had an unlucky runout
at Joules at the Maltings (17b), for which Austin blamed himself, and
with Austin keeping his foot off the accelerator, the pair added 54.4
time penalties. Austin explained, “2025 with this horse is all
about giving him confidence.”
Also with 20 penalties
were Tom Bird and Cowling Hot Gossip, picked up at the Pedigree
Brushes, fence 16, and Aimee Penny with PSH Encore at Defender Valley
(24c). Two experienced riders found themselves on the ground: David
Doel parted company from Galileo Nieuwmoed at Fairfax & Favor at
Keepers (10b) and Padraig McCarthy from MGH Mr Messack at Boodles
Raindance (7b).
Penalties are spread
around the course, with no combinations making the optimum time as of
yet.