Four New Zealand combinations head to West Yorkshire this weekend to do battle at the Bramham International Horse Trials.
Leading the charge is newly minted Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Andrew Nicholson who has two horses in the CCI3*. Nicholson, who has three times won the class – in 2016 aboard Jet Set IV, in 2009 on Nereo and in 2006 on Henry Tankerville – lines up aboard Swallow Springs and Yacabo BK.
It’s the first CCI3* start for eight-year-old Spanish Bred Yacabo BK, but 10-year-old Swallow Springs has a couple to his credit. The Irish-bred grey gelding has rarely had a cross country jumping fault throughout his career, and Nicholson will be keen to do well at Bramham.
Dan Jocelyn is no stranger to Bramham over his long career and this year is entered in the CCI3* aboard nine-year-old bay gelding Blackthorn Cruise. It’s the Irish bred horse’s first start at the event but he has had a couple of CCI3* starts.
James Avery is on début at Bramham and is entered on his 11-year-old New Zealand thoroughbred Optimus Prime II.
This year’s Bramham event has attracted one of its most international fields, with entries from 13 nations. The dressage for both the CCI3* and CIC3* runs through Thursday and Friday, with the CCI3* cross country on Saturday and showjumping on Sunday. The CIC3* showjumping runs on Saturday morning, followed by the cross country in the afternoon. Ian Start OBE has designed both cross country courses.
The horse details:
Yacabo BK – owned by Andrew Nicholson
Swallow Springs – owned by Paul and Diana Ridgeon
Optimus Prime – owned by Joe, Alex and Louis Giannamore
Blackthorn Cruise – owned by Therese Miller and Panda Christie
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By Diana Dobson – HP Media Liaison