KITTY KING continued her spectacular run of success at Gatcombe Park when winning the top two classes at the Whatley Manor International Horse Trials over the weekend, writes Rebecca Rhodes.

Kitty, from nearby Stanton St Quintin, was completing a hat-trick in the main event, the CIC** class.

Previously successful with Persimmon, Kitty this time took the prize aboard the seven-year-old Ceylor LAN.

Kitty also took the spoils in the CIC* competition at the Princess Royal's estate near Minchinhampton riding Creevagh Cooley.

Both horses led after the dressage phase and despite picking up time penalties on the cross country course they ran out comprehensive winners.

As part of the prize fund Kitty will therefore enjoy not one but two visits to Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa, courtesy of the title sponsor.

Runner-up in the CIC** competition was Sara Squires from Chepstow riding the stallion Sula Blue. They were one of just two combinations to complete the cross country phase within the time allowed.

Tetbury-based Becky Woolven aboard Charlton Down Riverdance were the other speedy combination across country and despite rolling a pole in the showjumping, they completed in 10th place.

Swindon's Tom McEwen finished fifth on Toledo De Kerser, Marlborough-based former world number one Andrew Nicholson (Ulises) came sixth and Luckington's Harry Meade, a member of the silver medal-winning Team GB at the recent World Equestrian Games took eighth place riding Vrolijk.

Fellow GB team members William Fox-Pitt and Tina Cook were also competing over the weekend.

William, who won individual bronze at the WEG, rode six horses over the three days, winning the Open Novice with Reinstated and was placed on three of his other rides.

Tina finished second in Intermediate section C with DHI Zancorgino. The missing team member was Zara Phillips who was not competing at her home event this year.

Runner-up to Kitty King in the CIC* was New Zealand’s Dan Jocelyn riding Beaucatcher.

Dan, whose stables are at Ecchinswell near Newbury, also won a Novice class with Valentijn V.

Cheltenham’s Ella Hitchman took third place riding Watercolour III. Ella finished ninth at the Junior European Eventing Championships earlier this summer with her other horse Rocky Rockstar. As well as eventing, Ella is a keen polo player.

Local rider Daisy Berkeley won a Novice class with Ballinteskin Cooper S and was placed with Strike Smartly, Koyuna Sun Storm and Step Smartly in other classes.

Nick Gauntlett from Chipping Sodbury, won an Intermediate class riding Carden Earl Grey.

Jonty Evans from Shipton Oliffe, competed three horses and took fifth in a Novice class with A Chance Affair.

Roberto Scalisi, who is based at Idbury near Chipping Norton, rode five horses and took three second places and a fifth in the Novice and Intermediate sections.

Roberto worked as a stunt double on the film War Horse.