Barnie Puts Rising Lions on the Board with Double Points In the Blenheim Challenge
Barnie Brotherton’s Joker victory puts the Rising Lions on the board as Stars & Stripes lead 5-2 going into Saturday’s cross country.
The Rising Lions have hit back in the Blenheim Challenge, with Barnie Brotherton (GBR) securing double points to put his team on the scoreboard and cut the Stars & Stripes’ lead to 5-2 ahead of Saturday’s cross country.
But for the Rising Lions, the points did not come without a wait.
Barnie laid down his challenge on Thursday, posting an impressive 31.9 in the dressage. As the Rising Lions’ Joker, his result carried the potential to earn the team two points, but only if he could beat his head-to-head opponent, Grace Taylor.
That meant the Rising Lions had to wait until Friday to discover whether Barnie’s score would be enough.
With the pressure on, Taylor entered the arena aboard her own Bandito Van Polderzicht as the final rider of the opening phase. The pair produced a score of 40.2, leaving Barnie on top and confirming the Rising Lions’ first points of the competition.
“I’m really pleased with the work he’s shown,” said Grace. “He did beautiful trot work, the canter he tried his best. I’m really thrilled with his behaviour in there and the temperament he showed. I'm delighted with him and very proud of him.”
For Barnie, the result meant more than simply winning his individual head-to-head. As the first Rising Lions rider to score, his victory finally got his team on the board, and his Joker doubled their tally.
“I’m really pleased, he was great yesterday and it’s nice to get some points on the board for the team. Being here with everyone, the amount of support we’ve all got has been incredible, it’s been a real fun time so far.”
After two days of dressage, Stars & Stripes lead 5-2, but with cross country and show jumping still to come, the competition is far from decided.
A new draw sets up Saturday’s battles.
With the opening dressage phase complete, attention now turns to Saturday’s cross country, where a fresh set of head-to-head battles will give both teams another opportunity to add to their score.
The second draw has paired the riders as follows:
Oliver Barrett v Barnie Brotherton
Tommy Greengard v Izzy Cook
Grace Taylor v Josh Levett
Olivia Dutton v Jess Rimmer
The draw was conducted by two leading five-star eventing grooms, recognising the vital contribution grooms make to the sport. Adam Short, groom to Tom McEwen, and Chloe Whitelam, groom to Tom Jackson, selected the pairings ahead of Saturday’s action.
With the teams separated by just three points, every head-to-head will carry added significance as the riders swap the precision of the dressage arena for the pace and challenge of the Blenheim cross country course.
Saturday will see the competition move into its second phase, with the riders facing the demands of the cross country course, and the opportunity to change the shape of the scoreboard once again.
Stars & Stripes currently lead 5-2, but the Rising Lions have finally found their way onto the scoreboard and will be looking to build on Barnie’s breakthrough when the action gets underway.
The contrast between the two phases could not be greater. After two days of dressage, where accuracy, composure and precision were key, the riders now face a test of speed, bravery and partnership across the cross country course.
And with the second draw now setting the stage for Saturday’s battles, the next points are firmly up for grabs.
The current Blenheim Challenge score is:
Stars & Stripes – 5
Rising Lions – 2