Equestrianism: Leng warms up for Europe
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.VIRGINIA LENG'S fourth place in Saturday's British Open section of the Calor Gas Horse Trials Championships here proved an excellent preparation for next month's European Championships, as well as giving Leng the national title for the third time.
Though beaten by three overseas riders - David O'Connor of the United States, and New Zealanders Vicky Latta and Mark Todd - Leng was delighted with the way her Badminton winner, Welton Houdini, tackled the 27 cross-country fences.
'It wasn't Houdini's sort of course, you had to keep twisting and turning,' Leng said. 'That's why I wanted to ride him here. It was much harder work than at Badminton, but he was very honest and we both learned a lot.'
O'Connor's victory was on the nippy Lighter Than Air, who was more suited to the hilly Gatcombe course. The grey is owned by Abigail Lufkin, now at college in the States, who will probably want him as her own mount before next year's World Equestrian Games in which O'Connor is expected to ride On A Mission.
Eddy Stibbe won yesterday's Advanced Section II for the Netherlands on High Strider, who went round the cross-country like an express train and without error. He defeated Fox-Pitt on Thomastown and Australia's Olympic champion, Matt Ryan, on Super Sam II.
Andrew Nicholson's victory for New Zealand in the Intermediate Championship left Tiny Clapham (winner of Saturday's Advanced Section I on Jacana) as the only Briton to collect a first prize here.
Two riders and one horse left Gatcombe by ambulance. Caroline Casburn sustained facial injuries and Jane Hood had a suspected neck injury after falls. Lismore Lord Charles, ridden by Erica Watson, fell yesterday but was back on his feet before being driven off for further examination.
CALOR GAS HORSE TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIPS (Gatcombe Park, Glos) British Open: 1 Lighter Than Air (D O'Connor, US) 46 penalties; 2 Chief (V Latta, NZ) 48; 3 Just An Ace (M Todd, NZ) 52; 4 Welton Houdini (V Leng, GB) 53; 5 Sassy Reason (S Bradley, US) 54; 6 King Boris (M Thomson, GB) 54. Advanced Section II: 1 High Strider (E Stibbe, Neth) 50; 2 Thomastown (W Fox-Pitt, GB) 52; 3 Super Sam II (M Ryan, Aus) 53. Intermediate Championship: 1 Jagermeister II (A Nicholson, NZ) 51; 2 Kayen (R Lemieux, Can) 55; 3 Midnight Blue II (K Gifford, GB) 58.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments