A career-best test from Oliver Barrett and Sandhills Briar takes them to the top of the Agria CCI4*-L leaderboard, with Gemma Stevens and Tom McEwen also prominent in the Palace Arena.
Blenheim Palace’s parkland is used to seeing established stars, but the pair who led the opening day of the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials changed their plans only recently to be there. Oliver Barrett and Sandhills Briar, the reigning Adelaide CCI5* champions, topped the CCI4*-L dressage standings after rerouting from the eventing World Championships in Aachen.
A personal best for Briar
The 22-year-old Australian and the 10-year-old gelding, who was bred and is owned by Oliver’s family, posted a new international personal best of 25.6. They were smooth through the early trot work, earned a nine for the halt in the middle of the test, and picked up high marks from the ground jury for the quality of their canter.
The team decided to reroute to Blenheim after Oliver and Briar parted company on the cross-country at Aachen. Their preparation was a solid run in the CCI3*-S at Cornbury last week, which was their first event in Britain. Oliver has been based with Sammi Birch for the past couple of weeks.
Busy weekend for Tom McEwen
Tom McEwen faces an action-packed schedule with five horses competing across both sections. He currently occupies second position in the Agria CCI4*-L aboard The Fieldmaster, an entry highlighted by commentator Saffron Cresswell as a key one to follow. McEwen will complete his dressage test on Friday with pre-event favourite Brookfield Quality.
Chilli’s Jester steps out of his brother’s shadow
Gemma Stevens holds third on 29.6 with Chilli’s Jester, a full brother to Chilli Knight, her Burghley-winning ride. The 10-year-old was on the podium at Scone CCI4*-S last month. It was the first time he has scored under 30 at four-star level.
Gemma said the horse is still green and has developed slowly, having needed time off earlier in his life. She was particularly pleased with his relaxation and his more stable lateral work. She added an interesting comparison: in her view Chilli’s Jester moves better, is straighter and has more scope on the flat than his brother, but he doesn’t yet have the same self-belief.
McEwen first to go and still out in front
In the GFS Saddles CCI4*-S for eight- and nine-year-olds, the first rider in the arena was still leading. Tom McEwen was the pathfinder on Brookfield Danny De Muze and set the target of 27.2. Sweden’s Therese Viklund and Sella are the closest challengers on 29.1, with New Zealand’s Samantha Lissington third on Cooley Corpello (29.4).
What’s next
The second half of dressage runs on Friday. The Agria CCI4*-L cross-country follows on Saturday, and the showjumping finale is on Sunday. The GFS Saddles CCI4*S 8/9 YO showjumping is Saturday and the cross-country on Sunday to decide the final standings.
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