Barbury 2016 - Day two: British Olympic squad members top leader board after CIC3* dressage
Gemma Tattersall & Quicklook VThe second day (July 8) of the St James's Place Barbury International Horse Trials was a good one for two members of the British Olympic squad, their eventing performance manager Yogi Breisner and his Team GB colleagues.
Team member Gemma Tattersall topped the dressage stage of the CIC3* competition with a score of 38.2. She was riding the eleven year-old grey mare Quicklook V.
Just behind her was Pippa Funnell, who has been selected as the team's travelling reserve. Riding the eleven year-old grey gelding Billy the Biz the judges gave her a score of 40.9.
On Saturday and Sunday (July 9 & 10) four of the five riders named for Britain's Rio eventing team will be taking part in the Event Rider Masters competition.
Gemma Tattersall
Pippa Funnell
Yogi Breisner
Chelsea Pearce & Albert VMarlborough based rider Chelsea Pearce, who has been long listed for the British junior team for the European Championships later in the year, is taking part in the CIC2* competition. In the dressage stage she completed a very accomplished programme finishing with 53.7 points.
Riding Albert V, she was the 99th competitor to go into the dressage arena for this class - and her marks put her in 26th with only a few more competitors to come. Entering this class with riders such as Gemma Tattersall, other British Olympic team members Izzy Taylor and William Fox-Pitt, is part of Chelsea Pearce's bid for full junior team membership.
The large entry for the novice competition saw a stream of riders tested by Barbury's famous cross country course. These are novice horses and for the most part not novice riders.
Quite a number of entries made heavy weather of the St James's Place water obstacle on the course designed again by Captain Mark Phillips. Several riders nearly came to grief and some others got wet.
Alex Holman nearly went
Michelle Matthews held on
Elizabeth Abell's Glimavragh decided not to try the water
Jessica Shopland (& Bond Girl) went through with a smile