In April 2020, and in the interest of legacy, I penned a Wikipedia entry recording the thoughts and notable achievements of myself as Harveywetdog. I admit I was ignorant of the rules concerning self promotion on Wikipedia at the time; consequently my entry was unfortunately, although arguably correctly, deleted and my account expunged from the system. As a result my original words and links were sadly lost but nevertheless here is an attempt at a rewrite. Perhaps when I'm gone someone will be able to enter it onto Wikipedia on my behalf, to serve as a fitting epitaph for the exciting times I spent on the Harveywetdog Project.
Bicton International Day 3 - the air ambulance puts in an appearance
The FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ action continued at Bicton International Horse Trials near Budleigh Salterton, Devon, with the British team firmly maintaining their grip on the lead. Delivering a flawless performance in the showjumping, all combinations went clear to add nothing to their team dressage score of 91.8. The United States remains in second place, with New Zealand close behind in third.
Tom McEwan riding Brookfield Future News ESP Photographic
Cross-country competition began in bright sunshine with the Charles Owen CCI2*-L class. Stephen Heal and Coulston Jericho held on to their overnight lead with an excellent clear inside the time, finishing the day on their dressage score of 23.3.
“It’s his first two-star long, so he’s still a bit green, but he showed great bravery and finished well, coping brilliantly with the challenging hills at Bicton. Helen builds excellent courses that really bring out a horse’s bravery, and you could see his confidence grow throughout. I always love coming to Bicton and I’m really looking forward to the showjumping tomorrow,” said Stephen.
The narrowest of margins separates Stephen from Laura Collett and Forbidden Pleasure, who sit on a cross-country score of 23.9 - just 0.6 of a penalty point behind.
The ponies were next on course in the Project Pony CCIP2*-L class. With an eye on impressing selectors and securing a place at the European Pony Eventing Championship at Le Mans, France, at the end of July, riders tackled Helen West’s course, which posed technical questions and rewarded a mature approach. Florence Drewitt, riding her 10-year-old grey gelding Battlestown Delight, ensured she stayed in contention, adding just two time penalties to her leading dressage score. “I’m so proud of how Battlestown Delight went today. He is incredibly talented and showed his class around a testing track,” she commented.
Ella Howard also retained her lead in the Renaissance Care CCIJ2*-L Juniors with a faultless performance, heading into tomorrow’s final showjumping phase on her original dressage score. In the TopSpec CCI4*-S, Laura Collett moved one step closer to a record-breaking fourth title, delivering a polished clear round with London 52 to maintain her lead on 23.3. Meanwhile, Tom McEwen held onto top spot in the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-S, producing another impeccable clear in the showjumping to keep himself firmly in first position.
Tom Jackson and Sage Soldier surged into first place in the Empire Coachbuilders CCI3*-L class, edging ahead of Bubby Upton and Sancerre De Tiji by just 0.4 of a penalty point, dropping her into second and leaving it all to play for tomorrow.
There was a shake-up in the Succeed CCIY3*-L Young Riders class, which concluded late in the afternoon, as Jago Jackson rose to the top of the leaderboard with Kind Brunette. Not stopping there, he also claimed second place with Barrington Highlight K, the two rides finishing incredibly close on scores of 29.7 and 30.1 respectively.
Showjumping begins at 9.00am today, followed by the start of cross-country at 10.00am.
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