Royal Festival of the Horse - Express Eventing
Monday, July 19, 2010
Eleven young (under 25) event riders foregathered at Stoneleigh Park on Sunday to compete in the Express Eventing competition. Their challenge was to undertake three phases – Freestyle Dressage to Music, Cross-Country and Showjumping – all on the same horse, on the same day, in the same arena. It was a first for all of them – except Alex Hua Tian who competed in the inaugural event in Cardiff at the end of 2008. Also present, and watching the proceedings with a keen eye, was Oliver Townend, winner in Cardiff.
Phase 1 - Freestyle Dressage To Music
The first phase, conducted in bright sunshine with a fresh breeze, was freestyle dressage to music. Riders, who had received expert tuition ahead of the event from triple Olympian and former national dressage champion Richard Davison, were required to incorporate a number of compulsory movements but were free to include optional movements. Each could also make their own choice of music and were encouraged to use the opportunity to express their own personality and that of their horse.
Two dressage judges marked the technical competence of horse and rider, while BBC commentator Clare Balding awarded marks for artistic impression. Of this new equestrian event concept, Clare said: “This is an exciting development for riders and horses and gives them the opportunity to be creative; it really allows personality to shine through and that makes it exciting to watch. I’m really pleased the eventing world can enjoy dressage and I’m impressed by how riders have embraced it and really use the arena. You can see the intelligence of the horses and they seem to be enjoying it.”
The 1,2, 3 results after Freestyle Dressage To Music, which was scored out of 80, were as follows:
- Duarte Seabra (POR), Fernhill Gloster Rebel, 19 penalty points
- Flora Harris, Law Choice, 22 penalty points
- Alex Hua Tian (CHI), Magenta, 22.5 penalty points
Duarte’s music choice included Elton John’s Crocodile Rock. Duarte was the fourth rider to enter the stadium. Commenting immediately after this performance, Clare Balding said: “Duarte included optional movements and has really set a high standard. Everything flowed and there were no hitches. This build of horse might well prove to be perfect for Express Eventing. Duarte’s performance was very exciting. I got goosebumps. It’s one of those moments when you think ‘I’m really glad I saw that’.”
On the announcement of the placings, Duarte said: “I’m pleased with how it went. He’s done it better a few times before and I was looking for an extra movement - which didn’t happen - but overall I’m pretty happy. I’ve had a lot of help from Pammy Hutton and the two days I spent with Richard Davison were very helpful. In fact, I changed the music on his advice from my original choice.”
Other memorable moments from the Freestyle Dressage To Music included:
Georgie Spence on Birthday Nights, whose music included tracks from Florence and The Machine and Lady Gaga, on which Clare said: “I think if you give a horse funky music, they think I’ll be doing a funky dance.”
Artthur Duffort representing France on Roxanne VI rode to music from ‘the Lloyds TSB ad’, which, as Clare said, could be used as a new way to keep a sponsor happy.
Gemma Tattersall’s round on Chamrock which included ‘We love to boogie’ proved to be bit more jitterbug than boogie at times but she ended the phase with 30 penalties and drew appreciation from Clare for delivering a fun, pacey performance while smiling throughout.
Clare also particularly appreciated Charlotte Agnew’s extended trot and tight turns on Out of Africa.
Commenting on Flora’s phase, which was conducted to showtunes including one from the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Clare said: “That was really fun and different. She demonstrated a good use of the arena and produced a lovely flowing test. It really worked.”
Alex Hua Tian rode Magenta to oriental music which, as Clare commented, ‘was completely in tune with his identity and led to a very atmospheric test’. Commenting after the phase, in which Alex included optional four-time flying changes, Alex said: “I’ve had lessons with Jane Gregory. ‘Maggie’ suits this type of competition better than Chico, who I rode to the same music in Cardiff. I’m not really worried about the showjumping. Maggie’s a very good jumper. Very consistent.
“This is a really good opportunity for under 25s. The odds here are good for a chance to win £5000, so it was a no-brainer coming here.”
Competitor Alice Pearson, who was Best Under 25 Rider at Blenheim 2009, was excited after the first stage of the triple phase event. Interviewed on the Social Season Hatters stand, she said: “The dressage to music was really fun. My horse, Beau Bear, isn’t as experienced as some, but we did okay. Peter and Jilly Sinclair-Knight, who are here to promote their hats, have supported me for a couple of years. My horse is owned by the Chase Distillery. It’s a Herefordshire firm noted for its potato vodka – delicious! We hope to be celebrating later.
“The reaction of the grandstand crowd to our performance was a great encouragement. It helped us enormously.”
Cross-Country Phase
After a short break, a re-build in the main stadium and a course walk with commentary from Oli Townend, Clare Balding and Sienna Myson-Davies, the competitors returned in reverse order to take on the Cross-Country phase.
Asked why eventing in the UK is so strong, Oliver responded that he believed it is because there are so many competitions, good facilities, good horses and good riders: “I could be eventing 6 days a week every week, if I wanted. In fact, this is the first Sunday I’ve had off in ages.”
Phoebe Buckley with Little Tiger started off and put in a time of 103.55 (0.45 within the maximum optimum). Phoebe was followed by Tamsyn Hutchins on LB (a horse she had been riding for just one day) who put in a creditable 105.18, and Alice Pearson on Beau Bear (109.19). Ginny Howe had a troublesome round on Divilabit (129.44) and was followed by Artthur Duffort on Roxanne VI (116.83).
Gemma Tattersall on Chamrock was pleased with their performance saying: “I had a great time. With Chamrock all I have to do is point and kick and let him go.”
Georgie Spence put in a terrific performance on Birthday Night in a time of 97.90 and was followed by Charlotte Agnew on Out of Africa who had a refusal at the double hedges and a time of 124.94.
Leading off the final three, Alex Hua Tian put in a splendid round in 95.48 and said of Magenta: “She does all the cross-country on her own. I’m really keen to win the use of the car, as mine failed its MOT last week!”
Flora Harris was the penultimate contender and she put in a fine performance on Law Choice (102.04).
The standings after the Cross-Country phase were as follows:
- Duarte Seabra, Fernhill Gloster Rebel
- Flora Harris, Law Choice
- Alex Hua Tian, Magenta
- Georgie Spence, Birthday Night
- Gemma Tattersall, Chamrock
On securing 2nd place after two phases, Flora Harris, who was runner-up in the Under 25 National Championships at Bramham this year, said: “I’m over the moon as to how this horse has adapted. It’s a privilege to be here and I think this type of competition could be the future of the sport and should be embraced.”
Showjumping
The final phase of the Express Eventing challenge was the showjumping circuit which included an optional 1.35m ‘eraser’ fence, which riders could jump to eliminate four faults. Entering the ring in reverse order, the 11 riders thrilled the crowd with the overall winner being undecided right up to the last fence being jumped by the last rider.
Oli Townend commented: “The eraser added real excitement and the crowd was on the edge of their seats. I enjoyed the whole thing and it gives these under 25s valuable experience of performing in front of a bigger crowd. These guys should go into their next big events with increased confidence.”
Notable moments included Tamsyn Hutchins on LB, who rode 5th and put in the first clear round. Tamsyn also opted for and cleared the eraser fence, to finish with a much better placing than when she entered the stadium.
Alex Hua Tian, on Magenta, picked up 4 faults in a time of 90.87, while Flora Harris entered the ring at full tilt and continued to delight with the hushed crowed willing her on. Flora put in a clear round, including the eraser fence, in a time of 91.76. To win the event, Duarte had to jump clear. When Fernhill Gloster Rebel knocked fence three, plus the last, the title was Flora’s.
The final standings and the results of the 2010 Express Eventing Challenge after three phases were:
- Flora Harris, Law Choice, 18 pens
- Alex Hua Tian, Magenta, 26.5
- Duarte Seabra, Fernhill Gloster Rebel, 28.25
- Tamsyn Hutchins, LB, 30.5
- Georgie Spence, Birthday Night, 37
- Phoebe Buckley, Little Tiger, 38.5
- Gemma Tattersall, Chamrock, 46
- Charlotte Agnew, Out of Africa, 55.25
- Artthur Duffort, Roxanna VI, 55.75
- Ginny Howe, Divilabit, 66.5
- Alice Pearson, Beau Bear, 70
The prizes were presented by John Peace of Express Eventing and Tim Keating of Jeep Chrysler Oxford. 22-year-old Flora Harris was presented with a cheque for £5000 and the keys to a Chrysler Jeep for a year. Second-placed Alex Hua Tian won £2,500 and third-placed Duarte left the day £1750 better off. Tamsyn Hutchins won £1250, Georgie Spence £1000 and all the other competitors earned themselves £500 from the prize fund.
Commenting on her win, Flora said: “This is a massive deal for me. I’m really excited. I’ve been looking forward to this Express Eventing at the Festival for a long time. I’m very happy and very lucky to be riding a horse like this.”
Flora, who broke her leg last year, said of ‘Bob’, the horse she’s been riding for 3 years: “He’s a horse of a lifetime. He’s the safest, most genuine horse. I’m very privileged. If things go well, we’ll be at Badminton next year.”
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Eventing
