Samantha Lissington riding RICKER RIDGE SOOTY GNZ. File Photo.
Portugal proved just the tonic for Samantha Lissington and Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ who have finished second in the CCI4*-L at Barroca d’Alva as part of the Winter Tour.
The Kiwi combo scored 30.6 penalty points in the dressage, added 7.2 time penalties in the cross country and finished all clear in the showjumping for a final tally of 37.8 penalty points. They were the only ones in the field to complete the Luis Xavier De Brito-designed showjumping clear and inside time.
Twenty-five combinations started the class with just 14 completing. Samantha Birch (AUS) and Hunter Valley II won on 32.5 penalty points with Ludwig Svennerstal (SWE) and Balham Mist third on 37.9. Ludwig was the only rider to come home clear and inside time on the cross country which was designed by Eric Winter.
“We have had a super week down here,” says UK-based Samantha. “Little Soot put in a great performance all week and jumped his socks off for second place. I took a bit too much time on my prep for fences in the cross country yesterday so we clocked up a few too many time faults but today was probably his best round ever – it was a nice way to finish a strange year in 2020.”
She figures everyone has earned some time off but she is also looking forward to riding her horses at home as they come back into work. “After our three day trip back!”
Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ, who is by Caretino out of a Tristaking mare, is owned by Pip McCarroll and Samantha Lissington, and was bred by Goldengrove Stud.
By Diana Dobson