First point won in the Blenheim Challenge as head-to-head rivals announced
Best turned out honours give the Stars & Stripes the opening advantage ahead of the first phase.
The Blenheim Challenge is officially underway, with the first team point awarded and the opening head-to-head pairings announced at the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.
The first point of the Ryder Cup-inspired competition was awarded for the Best-Turned-Out Horse, judged by Paige Watson, winner of best groom at this year's Defender Burghley Horse Trials. The award recognises the vital contribution of the grooms behind both teams, with the winning horse's team taking the first point on the board. Adriana De Peppe groom to Tommy Greengards took the prize.
“Best turned out is a great way to recognise the incredible work of the grooms in this sport,” said Paige. “The standard was very high, so it was a real pleasure to judge, and especially great to award the first point of the Blenheim Challenge.”
The first Blenheim Challenge draw:
Tommy Greengard (That’s Me Z) v Jess Rimmer (The Spice Merchant)
Grace Taylor (Bandito van Polderzicht) v Barnie Brotherton (DHI King Nelson)
Olivia Dutton (Jewelent) v Isabelle Cook (Cymoon “F” Z)
Oliver Barrett (Sandhills Biar) v Josh Levett (Huberthus AC)
Each team was also given the opportunity to play a joker, with the selected pairing earning double points; the Rising Lions placed their joker on Barnie Brotherton, while the Stars & Stripes placed theirs on Oliver Barrett, adding an extra strategic twist to the opening phase.
The riders will now go head-to-head in the opening phase, with the rider achieving the better result in each individual match earning a point for their team. A drawn match will see half a point awarded to each team.
With a fresh draw taking place before each phase, today's rivals could find themselves facing different opponents as the competition progresses.
The Rising Lions and Stars & Stripes will battle for every point throughout the CCI4*-L, with the winning team a share of the £50,000 Blenheim Challenge prize fund, which includes donations to youth programmes and an equestrian charity.
Live results are available via Eventing Scores, with the competition broadcast live on Horse & Country TV.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Rising Lions
Rising Lions is an initiative supporting the next generation of eventing talent, creating opportunities for emerging riders to gain experience on some of the sport's biggest stages. Through exposure to high-level competition, Rising Lions supports riders as they build experience, confidence and skills and take the next steps in their careers.
Website: www.risinglions.co.uk
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