25th - 28th May 2017

Words & Photos by Tim Wilkinson   #houghtonhorsetrials

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Musketeer Events delivered another great Houghton International Horse Trials, with new title sponsor in Saracen Horse Feeds, an overhaul in layout of the event ground and some great weather which was only interrupted by a very intense (and heavy) rain show on Saturday afternoon made for a superb weekend, and the International competition was fierce.

Piggy French had a pretty amazing weekend, winning not only the CCI1* (riding COOLEY MONSOON) but also the CCI2* (riding MORSWOOD) jumping two double clears to finish on her dressage scores.

Felicity Collins jumped a cool double clear under immense pressure to WIN the CCIYR2*  and become British u21Champion 2107 in style riding her own RSH CONTEND OR finishing on her dressage score of 44.1 pipping Sam Ecroyd to the title by virtue of being nearer to the optimum time on the cross country.

CICO3* incorporating the FEI Nations Cup was won by the ever popular German rider Bettina Hoy riding SEIGNEUR MEDICOTT to a beautiful double clear leading from the start to finish on their dressage score of 35.3.  Hot on her heels was her team mate Julia Krajewski riding SAMOURAI DU THOT climb from 5th place after dressage having jumping double clear to clim 2nd place on 41.1.  Pippa Funnel riding BILLY THE BIZ was the best place British rider finishing in third place on 43.0.  However the German Team proved too strong for the completion and they claimed the Great Britain leg of the Nations ahead of Great Britain (2nd) and the United States (3rd).

CCI1* Final Results
1st - Piggy French (GBR) COOLEY MONSOON
2nd - Gemma Tattersall (GBR) BILLY HOPEFULL
3rd - Brook Staples (AUS) BIG OWL

CCI2* - Final Results
1st - Piggy French (GBR) MORSWOOD
2nd - Laura Collet (GBR) DACAPO
3rd - Gemma Tattersall (GBR) BILLY SENORA

CICO3* - Final Results
1st - Bettina Hoy (GER) SEIGNEUR MEDICOTT
2nd - Julia Krajewski (GER) SAMOURAI DU THOT
3rd - Pippa Funnel (GBR) BILLY THE BIZ

Nations Cup Team Results
1st - GERMANY
2nd - GREAT BRITAIN
3rd - UNITED STATES
4th - NEW ZEALAND