JAMES AVERY from Hungerford led from the outset on the seven-year-old gelding Vitali to win the CIC** event at the Whatley Manor International Horse Trials held at Gatcombe Park, writes Rebecca Rhodes.

It is the second year running that a New Zealand rider has topped the leaderboard after Oaksey-based Dan Jocelyn in 2016.

Avery completed the cross country phase adding just 1.2 time penalties, the fastest round of the day, and then rolled a single show jumping pole.

That was still good enough to hold on to his lead to win the prestigious event and collect the Guzerat Trophy from HRH The Princess Royal.

Runner-up was Ros Canter (Pencos Crown Jewel), a member of the GB gold medal-winning team at the European Championships last month in Poland.

Third place went to last year’s winner Dan Jocelyn aboard Fjury.

Highworth-based Australian Paul Tapner won the CIC* class on the striking grey Bob Chaplin, owned by Paul and local long-time supporters of eventing, Fred and Penny Barker, The six-year-old horse now heads to the Young Horse Championships at Osberton later this month.

Runner-up was Swindon’s Julia Norman with Joblesse Van Bareelhof, closely followed in third by Zara Tindall on Drops Of Brandy, the only competitor to complete on her dressage score.

Kitty King (Drewmain Firefly) from Stanton St Quinton took fifth, with Jonty Evans (John The Bull) from Shipton Ollife in sixth.

The national classes saw a win for Zara Tindall riding The Precious One in Friday’s Intermediate section C.

Great Somerford’s Beanie Sturgis was a very popular winner of Open Intermediate section G with her great 17-year-old campaigner Lebowski who was officially retired after this event.

Beanie and Lebowski have competed at CCI**** level at Badminton, Burghley and Pau.

Cirencester-based Australian Sammi Birch, narrowly missed a win, taking second in three Intermediate sections, C and E with Kiwi and The Kincooley Ceili and Open Intermediate section F with The Court Jester.

West Littleton’s Harry Meade took second in Intermediate section D with Cavalier Crystal.

Holly Woodhead from Blunsdon won Novice section J with Global H, completing on their impressive dressage score of 20.3 in the horse’s first competition at Novice level.

Holly was also fifth in Intermediate section E with Targa D and fifth in Novice sections K & N with Gapolio and Fare.

Gatcombe-based rider Tom McEwen, fourth the previous weekend at The Land Rover Burghley CCI****, won Novice section L with Braveheart B.

Tom rode nine horses over two days with five top 20 placings.