Bicton International Day 2

The second day of dressage at the Bicton International Horse Trials (28 - 31 May) marked the start of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™. Riders contended with some early morning rain, but conditions improved when the sun came out as the day progressed.

Laura Collet and London 52
ESP Photographic

Teams from Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand and the United States got their FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ weekend underway at Bicton, the only British leg of the 2026 series. Great Britain, who claimed victory at Bicton last year on a team score of 87.8 penalties, have made a strong start once again and lead the standings after the dressage phase on a combined score of 91.8. Laura Collett produced the best score for the British team aboard Hester, posting 29.6. The United States currently sit second on 103.7, with New Zealand close behind in third on 107.3. Ireland complete the standings on 108.5 as all four nations look ahead to the jumping phases.

 

Laura Collett is also in contention to make further history in the TopSpec CCI4*-S, where she and London 52 lead the class on a score of 23.3. Reflecting on her test, Collett said: “Dan felt super in his test. Much more in front of me and listening than he was at Belsay. When he's like that, he's just a pleasure to ride a test on.” The 17 year old gelding, known at home as Dan, has won three Olympic medals and claimed three consecutive Bicton CCI4*-S victories between 2023 and 2025. This weekend, the pair are bidding for a fourth straight title.

 

The Empire Coachbuilders CCI3*-L saw significant movement in the standings, with British rider Bubby Upton, who is based just outside Newmarket, occupying both first and second place. Upton leads the class with the eight year old chestnut gelding Sancerre De Tiji on a score of 24.2, while her second ride, Mr Marmalade, sits just behind on 24.6. Reflecting on her day Upton said, “He an unbelievably exciting young horse, he’s just an eight-year-old and this is his first time at this level. I’ve owned him since a four-year-old, he’s always been a sharp, tricky but incredibly intelligent horse. He delivered a brilliant test - with just one mistake when he did a flying change across the diagonal - and I’m really excited about what’s to come.”

Bubby Upton and Sancere
ESP Photographic

 

In the Renaissance Care CCIJ2*-L, British Junior European Champion Ella Howard remains at the top of the leaderboard with the nine year old black gelding Delauney on 26.6, giving her a good lead going into tomorrow's cross country phase. Annabel Ridgway, who held second place yesterday with LVS Movistar, moved into second with her ride, Emerald Katie, after producing a score of 27.9. Maisie Greening and Valeswood Blue currently sit third on 29.9.

 

The Charles Owen CCI2*-L competition remains unchanged following the second day of dressage. Stephen Heal and Coulston Jericho, affectionately known as Jerry, continue to lead the way on 23.3, with Laura Collett and Forbidden Pleasure in second on 23.9. Max Warburton and Graf Magic hold third place on 24.6, setting up an exciting contest ahead of cross country.

 

Leaders in the other classes include British Olympian and former Bicton winner Tom McEwen, who maintains his overnight lead in the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-S with Brookfield Future News, known at home as Fletcher. The pair produced an impressive dressage test to remain at the top of the scoreboard on a score of 25.1 heading into the next phase of competition.

 

In the Succeed CCIY3*-L, Lucy Standish remains at the top of the leaderboard, this time with her second ride, Mr Cookie Time, who now leads on a score of 27.1. Her other ride, Global H, who was gifted to her for her 14th birthday, currently sits in fifth.

Bicton International Horse Trials recently introduced the CCIP2*-L trial, bringing Pony Riders to Devon for the very first time. In theProject Pony CCIP2*-L class, Florence Drewitt currently leads the way with an impressive score of 22.2 aboard Battlesdown Delight. The introduction of the class highlights Bicton’s continued commitment to developing young talent and providing opportunities for the next generation of event riders. 

 

Cross country gets underway at 9.00am tomorrow, with show jumping starting at 10.00am.