British Olympic gold medallist Tom McEwen has made a flying start to Cornbury House Horse Trials (10-14 September), winning two sections of the Pragnell-sponsored CCI3*-S on day one of the Oxfordshire event. This makes him the clear favourite to retain the Leading Rider accolade – with its accompanying £2,500 cheque – that he won in 2024.
Gloucestershire-based Tom took section A on James and Jo Lambert’s Cecelia Cobra, adding 2.4 cross-country time-faults to his leading dressage score of 29.1. He then rode Brookfield Quality, owned by Alison Swinburn and John and Chloe Perry, to victory in section D, again picking up 2.4 time-penalties across country to complete on a mark of 29.1.
“Brookfield Quality comes here most years before we head down to Pau [the French CCI5* in October], because the atmosphere is great and the cross-country course suits him down to the ground,” said Tom. “[New Zealand rider] Tim Price keeps saying he’s going to hit me – he’s desperate to be leading rider here; because of that, I’m determined to keep going and I’ve got a few more chances of a winner this week!”
CCI3*-S section B went to Jack Pinkney with Sara Brown’s Carpo Vivendi. They were quick across country for only 1.2 time-faults on top of their first-phase score of 33.5.
Jack said: “I first got the ride on this horse when he was five – he came to me because he was quite tricky and his quirk was bolting, but he just needed confidence and trust in his rider. He has come on so much and just wants to give you 110%. I really think he could be a five-star horse – he‘s got the heart.”
Jack and Carpo Vivendi are now aiming for the eight- and nine-year-old CCI4*-S class at Blenheim. He explained: “There are some good, flowing combinations here with plenty to do, and there is a good atmosphere – there aren’t many events where you can get this kind of buzz. Also, having a good run up the hills here is great in preparation for somewhere like Blenheim.”
Kylie Roddy and SRS Kan Do. Photo by Peter Nixon.
Kylie Roddy was a popular winner of Pragnell CCI3*-S section C on Anne and Colin Fox’s CCI5* horse, SRS Kan Do. The pair collected just two cross-country time-penalties to add to their 31.4 dressage mark.
“He loves it here – he was second last year so I thought we’d come back, and especially after the rain we’ve had, which is right up his street,” said Kylie of this 15-year-old. “It’s magical when these older guys have got so much love for the job.
“He’s a funny horse in that he has places he prefers and he lives for atmosphere; the clapping and the crowds, so Cornbury is perfect for him. It lifts him and makes him a superhero.”
The final Pragnell-sponsored class of the day, CCI3*-S section E, was won by Tom McEwen’s Tokyo and Paris Olympics team-mate Laura Collett. She was riding the experienced Dacapo, who is owned by Richard and Gillian Morris-Adams, Diana Chappell, Carolyn Taylor and Michael and Alison Smedley. They were the only horse and rider combination to make the time across country today, completing on their dressage score of 28.4.
“Dacapo was on flying form today; he had a lovely time. The ground actually got better and better – by the time he went, it was perfect,” said Laura, who won the Leading Rider Award here at Cornbury in 2023.
As well as superb equestrian sport, featuring many of the world’s most famous riders, Cornbury Horse Horse Trials is an innovative and exciting blend of local, sustainable food and drink from our neighbouring farms, premium hospitality, and interactive children’s activities over the weekend of 13-14 September, all in the stunning setting of Cornbury Park..
All the cross-country action from Cornbury House Horse Trials will be shown live on Horse & Country TV’s streaming platform H&C+..
To buy tickets, see timetables of each class and for more information, visit cornburyhousehorsetrials.co.uk.
Cornbury House Horse Trials: [Website] [Tickets] [Timetable] [Entries] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream]
