Bramham CIC*** Trot Up

Bramham Cross Country Course Designer Ian Stark hasn’t stopped all day – from his basic duties making sure the courses are all in order for the next two days, to arranging the sun and wind to arrive just in time this afternoon, to shoveling the s**t – he’s a one-man wonder! Rosemary Barlow who owns Avebury told me that her rider Andrew Nicholson named Bramham as his favourite course to ride out of all the competitions that he’s ridden at all over the world – that’s quite a ringing endorsement, and not only is Bramham special because of it’s cross country but also the fantastic team effort that goes into making such an enormous event (especially this year) feel so friendly and relaxed, whilst still getting everything right – three cheers for Bramham!

Andrew Nicholson and Avebury

Alice Naber-Lozeman (Netherlands) and Coral Estate Mitok

Opposition Buzz was on springs and just barely under control – I can’t wait to see him run across country on Sunday

Nicola Wilson’s second ride Applejack

Arthur Chabert (France) and Opium D Oradour

Constantin Van Rijckevorsel (Netherlands) and Goodwins Reef

Constantin’s Butterfly Boy waits his turn

The trot-up started about five minutes early, and Carl Bouckaert was due to present his horses third in the order, however he arrived just a minute or too later and his groom Steven had already filled in for him beautifully, and they both passed easily. Carl told me he had been walking the course earlier that afternoon and the footing is much improved and he’s looking forward to riding it, this is his first visit to Bramham. After talking to me he walked over to join his friends and, I swear, hurdled/leap-frogged this barrier – I wish I’d been quicker with my camera, it was so unexpected and happened so quickly, he just calmly walked towards them and out of the corner of my eye I presumed he would walk along the fence to the gap, but next thing – he’s leaping in the air, and with such grace! Hidden gymnastic talents, who knew – intriguing!

Carl’s Cyrano Z

Jock Paget (New Zealand) and Clifton Lush. Jock told me earlier that his lovely Rolex horse Clifton Promise is already back in full work and feels great; he has his first event in two weeks time, and he’ll just do the dressage and show-jumping at Barbury. Jock will take him to Salperton for an easy Intermediate Run and then to Gatcombe but may not run cross country there either, which is a similar campaign to last year preparing for Burghley.

Dag Albert (Sweden) and the experienced Tubber Rebel

Daisy Berkeley and Mopani

Tina Cook and Miners Frolic, lying 8th

Elaine Pen’s (Netherlands) Vira waits his turn while Elaine trotted up her first horse Dostowjewski,much coveted by Carl Bouckaert

Georgie Morrison and Ditch Digger

Rodney Powell and Happy Go Lucky

Polly Stockton waits to trot up with Jeepers Creepers and then…

gets a round of applause from son Jacob on passing!

Jamie Atkinson and Direct Dilemma

Karin Donckers two rides, Lamicell Unique on the left, and Extebaria van Het Verahof

Tim Lips (Netherlands) and Concrex Oncarlos – I’m pretty sure this is the same horse Tim brought over to Rolex Kentucky a few years ago and lay in first place after the first day of dressage, and third after both days, only to make a mistake, (a fall?) on the cross-country.

Tim’s second ride Keyflow

Dressage leaders Laura Collett and Rayef

William Fox-Pitt and Lionheart

Lucy Jackson and Animator II, lying 5th overnight

Lucy Wiegesma and Woodfalls Inigo Jones

Madeleine Brugman’s (Netherlands) two horses, Katmandu on the left and Edino, the bay with Madeleine

Marcio Jorge (Brazil) and Josephine MCJ

Merel Blom (Netherlands) and Rumour Has It. Eventing Nation met Merel last autumn at Galway Downs with the two horses she has here this weekend. Before the competition even started she had to deal with the stress of an FEI appeal on a ban, and only knew for sure that she would be able to come to Bramham on tuesday.