Local riders shine at Gatcombe (From Stroud News and Journal)

Local riders shine at Gatcombe

An astonishing 637 horses and riders from 12 countries entered for The prestigious LAND ROVER GATCOMBE HORSE TRIALS over the weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the combination of glorious sunshine, and the opportunity to tackle HRH The Princess Royal's cross country courses and the special new water complex.

Her Royal Highness presented rosettes and super prizes to the winners of some l2 competitions throughout the weekend.

4 of the novice classes on Saturday were won by local riders, Leslie Law, Gloucester based World Team Silver Medallist with Flying Fox, Victoria Brewer and Highleadon, Sue Ford and Krazee and Joanna Killin and Sensibility based at the Talland School near Cirencester, and Polly Williamson with Papa Nue operating from Charlton Park, near Malmesbury plus May-Britt Kattrup over from Denmark for a month competing from the Chippenham Equestrian Centre.

Tara Morrison and Billy Joe Bob won the Derby House Saddlery Pony Trial held for the first time.

Sunday saw many of the country's top horses competing for the first time this season, and heading for Badminton in May.

Young 23 year old Ruth Friend, a former Young Rider medallist, drove all the way from Scotland to land victory in the prestigious Advanced Intermediate, relegating many of the prestigious array of Gold Medallists to the lesser places with a positive and fast display on Big Thyme, and also took third on Two Thyme.

Local top rider Rodney Powell and Nipper landed the spoils in the Intermnediate, whilst Robert Stevens rode Diamond Ace to success in the first Open Intermediate, Marcus Reid and Penton Rhapsody the second for High Clere Horse Trial organiser Sue Bennett, and Jayne Wilson took the third on the promising Griffin III.

World Champion Blyth Tait had his first outing on Ready Teddy and now goes on to Badminton.

The next event will be on Saturday and Sunday, September 20 and 21.