EQUESTRIAN: Toytown back to form for Zara (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Ruth Edge completes Gatcombe double

11:04am Tuesday 22nd September 2009 in Sport By Jayne Bennett

GATCOMBE Park was bathed in sunshine for the International Horse Trials which took place over the weekend, with the spotlight turning to many of the region’s top riders.

Although not placed, Zara Phillips pleased spectators on Friday by bringing out her World and European Championship partner Toytown on home turf, pulling off a superb dressage display and a faultless clear round before incurring time penalities on the cross country.

This was Toytown’s first full event since becoming injured on the Badminton cross country course back in May.

Fellow-Gloucestershire based rider Nick Gauntlett, from Chipping Sodbury, took away the Jane Talbot Trophy for the best Gloucestershire rider.

Nick, who came third in a novice class, was pleased with his performance, having just returned from a successful showing at Blenheim and is one of many British riders preparing to take on the 4* at Pau, France in a fortnight.

Marlborough-based New Zealander Andrew Nicholson had a successful weekend, winning an Open Intermediate division at the event on Tristar II, as well as a novice class with Music Master.

Highworth-based Australian Paul Tapner also won a novice section riding Kilronan.

However, it was Ruth Edge riding Applejack II, who did the ‘Gatcombe double’ in the main International Intermediate 2* event, having won the British Open class at the Festival of British Eventing which was held at the royal estate last month.

WILTSHIRE’S Laura Collett has won the Young Rider individual gold medal at the Junior and Young Rider Eventing European Championships in Waragem, Belgium (11-14 September).

This is the third time that Laura, 20, has won the title, having previously taken the crown in both 2006 and 2007.

Laura, riding Rayef, led from the start with a dressage score of 35.8 and accrued no further penalty points.

Last year's Young Rider European champion Emily Llewellyn moved up from sixth after the dressage to claim the individual bronze on Pardon Me II.

Laura and Emily also teamed up with Emily Parker, riding Treefers, and Harry Dzenis, on Rockin Robin, to claim the team gold medal for GB.

THE nation’s top dressage riders were also in action last weekend, as they travelled to Warwickshire for the Deluxe National Dressage Championships.

Young hopeful Charlie Hutton, from Ampney Knowle, did particularly well, having qualified four horses in a total of ten classes.

"I didn’t do too bad," said a modest Charlie after the event.

"I just missed out on a top ten place in the Grand Prix, but I’m really pleased as this as this is my first year with Alijano III.

"I was really pleased to be offered him as a ride, and at 13 he is already very experienced, but it takes time to form a relationship with a horse as good as this."

Charlie was also placed eighth in the Inter II Championship and tenth in the Inter I Championship.

Gloucestershire’s Olympic dressage rider Carl Hester went on to clinch his sixth National Championship and 51st national title. Carl also took the Grand Prix Freestyle title with a score of 74.65%. Five riders scored 70% or better in a strong competition.