Burghley Horse Trials: Brook and Coudray take young event titles

Noah Brook riding G Star; winner of the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse, 4 year Old Final during The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials near Stamford in Lincolnshire, UK, on 4th September 2015 EMN-150509-110632001

Dutch-bred G Star, ridden by 22-year-old Noah Brook, ran out the winner of the four-year-old section, while Tiana Coudray riding Cavalier Crystal took the top spot in the five-year-old category.

The good looking bay, owned by Paul and Paula Crompton and a gelding by the jumping stallion Namelus R, also the sire of Ben Mahers former Olympic jumper Tripple X, perhaps not surprisingly due to his breeding, gained the highest marks in the jumping phase and then proved a model of consistency in the other sections. He rose to the top after a good mark in the final section yesterday (Friday, September 4).

It has been a great month for 22-year-old Noah, who is originally from Huddersfield and now has a yard in Nottinghamshire. He came to the fore at Gatcombe four weeks ago when he was the inaugural winner of the Corinthian Cup, awarded in the new amateur section. His ride there, Deo Volente III, also owned by the Cromptons.

Nicky Roncoroni went one better in this class to come second with Monbeg Warrior who, like her third placed five-year-old Monbeg Medlar, is also by the thoroughbred Emperor Augustus. Monbeg Medlar also gained high marks for conformation and type.

“He is big, beautiful and raw but incredibly well balanced and a real professional to ride,” said Roncoroni, who acquired the big bay from Monbeg Sport Horses in Ireland last December.

Hannah Bate and Ballycoog Guiness, a big rangy grey owned by Lynn Sheppard, the leaders before the last section, finished third. Guiness was bought through the Going For Gold sale at Goresbridge and it is hoped that he will be back here competing in the main event in five years time.

Congo Rebel, an eye-catching chestnut by William Funnell’s show jumper Billy Congo, stood fourth with Helen Wilson and was awarded the prize for the best British bred.

In the five-year-old section British-based American Tiana Coudray was over the moon to win with her own and Dr Liz Williams Irish Sport Horse mare, Cavalier Crystal, who also won the award for the best mare.

The Irish-bred by Jack Of Diamonds out of a mare by Cavalier Royale took an early lead and stayed out in front throughout. Not only did she receive the highest marks for jumping from judges Stephen Hadley and Eric Winter, but she also caught the eye of Jane Holderness Roddam, who judged the top 10 for suitability and potential and awarded her the full 10 marks. “I loved the winner; she was so light over the ground,” said Jane.

Dr Williams acquired Cavalier Crystal as a three-year-old and approached Tiana this spring offering her the ride.

“I hope to have her for Tokyo (the 2020 Olympic Games),” said Coudray.

Tiana Coudray (USA) riding CAVILIER CRYSTAL; winner of the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse, 5year Old Final during The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials near Stamford in Lincolnshire, UK, on 4th September 2015 EMN-150509-110009001

Second place and the best British-bred was the imposing bay Treworder ridden by Lisa Freckingham. Bred by enthusiasts Vin and Liz Jones (Preci-Spark) the 17hander has eventing blood coursing through his veins, being by the advanced eventing German Trakehener, Grafenstolz, out of Welton Lady (by Welton Crackerjack), who won the final here in 1996 and is also the dam of Preci-Spark’s advanced horse Treason.

Third place for the second year running went to Cirencester-based Nicky Roncoroni, this time with Monbeg Medlar. Another Irish-bred horse he is by the thoroughbred Emperor Augustus out of a mare by the thoroughbred I’m A Star, who has sired many event horses. Medlar particularly impressed conformation judge Edmond Mahoney who gave him 10/12 for conformation and 7/8 for type.

Results:

Four-year-old

1) G Star (Noah Brook) 79.8

2) Monbeg Warrior (Nicky Roncoroni) 77.8

3) Ballycoog Guiness (Hannah Bate) 75.5

4) Congo Rebel (Helen Wilson) 75.5

5) SJL Convince Me (Eliza Stoddart) also best mare 75

6) Corouet (Ginnie Turnbull) 74.8

Five-year-old

1) Cavilier Crystal (Tiana Coudray) 83

2) Treworder (Lisa Freckingham) 77

3) Monbeg Medlar (Nicky Roncoroni) 76

4) Reuben Rialto (James Adams) 74.5

5) Seapatrick Nearco (Ginnie Turnbull) 73.5

6) The Kincooley Ceili (Lizzie Brown) 71.0

The 2015 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials are taking place in the grounds of Burghley House, near Stamford.