McEwen and JL Dublin Dominate Lycetts Grantham Cup, Setting Sights on Badminton

Nottinghamshire’s Thoresby Hall played host to a thrilling Lycetts Grantham Cup, where the world’s top eventing talent clashed in a high-stakes showdown. The competition, thick with British Olympic stars, saw immaculate showjumping performances across the board, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish that had spectators on the edge of their seats.

Tom McEwen, riding JL Dublin, delivered a masterclass in cross-country riding, securing the win and underscoring their status as world number one.Their faultless performance,finishing on their dressage score of 24.5,put immense pressure on the other contenders.

McEwen elaborated on JL Dublin’s exceptional form: He’s feeling very good. He’s been very fresh all day which has been lovely. Showjumping today he was like a man possessed and the same cross-country… I knew I wanted to use this for prep. This victory serves as crucial planning for their anticipated appearance at the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials.

McEwen’s strategic approach to the course was evident. There was only one way Dubs was going and that was quick so I thought I would let him rock and roll and he really utilised his huge long stride everywhere and everything is so free flowing and the course really played into that. This win also earned McEwen the Lycetts Leading Rider title and a £1,000 bonus.

Gemma Stevens, continuing her impressive run at the eventing Spring Carnival, secured second place with Jalapeno III. Their dressage score of 24.6 placed them just ahead of Laura Collett and Ros Canter.

Stevens expressed her delight: I’m absolutely chuffed to bits… she’s 17 years old and she’s hopefully going to Badminton and I thought what have I got to lose, come on girl, let’s make the time, and she really answered me, galloped round gamely inside the time. not too shabby to be 0.1 behind old Tommy!

Stevens also praised the ground conditions: It couldn’t be more perfect; it’s given us all fantastic runs this weekend ready for badminton or whatever the horses are going on to do. There are a few good questions out there. It’s made us all think a bit!

laura Collett, riding London 52, finished third after adding just two seconds of time penalties to their score. Collett emphasized the importance of a good run: I just wanted to give him a nice run, the ground is literally perfect. He’s not one that you can run slowly, he needs to be on it. He’s just amazing.

Collett also lauded the course design: I think thay’ve done an amazing job of the course, wholly different to the last couple of years, running it in a different direction was quite good. The water coming early was a bit of a challenge for them.

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, the overnight leaders, took a more conservative approach on the cross-country, adding 5.2-time penalties and finishing in fourth place.

Collett and Dacapo Claim CCI4*-S Victory

The Eventing Spring Carnival also featured two CCI4*-S sections, showcasing a wealth of eventing talent. Laura Collett, riding Dacapo, emerged victorious in one of these sections, finishing on a score of 34.1.

Collett described Dacapo’s performance: He was lovely, couldn’t fault him to be honest and we all know he does what he feels like and he was very happy and had a jolly time so I had a jolly time and the good thing with him is you know as soon as you get out the start box, I jumped fence one and I was like I’m going to have a nice ride today so yeah he’s quite the character but can’t fault him when he’s like that.

The Eventing Spring Carnival continues to grow in popularity, providing a vital atmosphere for horses and riders preparing for major spring events. There’s a great crowd here which creates a really good atmosphere for the first big one, it’s quite a buzzy arena for the showjumping and the crowd is out on the cross-country which really gives that international feel to get them back in the swing of things to prepare for the bigger competitions later on in the year, an event spokesperson noted.

Gemma Stevens once again secured second place, this time with Flash Cooley, despite a minor setback. He was super, but for some reason, misread the first corner coming out of the water and had the pin. he stormed round the rest of the course; he was still which is great and I’m really pleased with them.

Stevens also rode Chilli King to second place,adding just 4.4-time penalties to his dressage score. I’m absolutely thrilled with him as he is a really green horse at this level. He jumped a superb double clear and did one of his nicest, most relaxed dressage to date.

Stevens highlighted Chilli King’s potential: He stepped up very gently last year and now feels ready to crack on – I’m hoping to take him to Bramham this summer. He is a really sensitive person, he’s the most amazing jumper, incredibly careful, and scopey so just because of his sensitivity and his scope and carefulness we have taken it really slowly with him.I think this year he is just coming into himself and is ready to show the world that he is going to be awesome.

Stevens discussed how her showjumping experience benefits her eventing: The showjumps look so small and you have to get up into such a cog to ride round these world ranking classes I’ve been doing the last two weeks and then I came in and Dickie (Waygood) said to me as I went in “watch the time” on the first horse. Obviously Tim was first on Vitali and got a couple of seconds over and then I think I was eight seconds inside the time, but it’s nice as then it just feels easy and I think with the jumping you have to be so so quick in your reactions at that level, I think it also helps with the cross country.

Kirsty Chabert Wins Polly Phillips Memorial Trophy

Kirsty chabert was awarded the Polly Phillips Memorial Trophy,presented to the highest-placed rider in the Lycetts Grantham Cup who has yet to represent Great Britain on a senior championship team. The trophy honors Polly Phillips, who tragically died in a fall in 1999.

Chabert, finishing fifth with Classic VI, expressed her gratitude: It’s an honour and it’s something we’ve all worked towards and it’s really lovely that we can keep it going and what an honour to win it.

Chabert also commented on the course: I had a fab run; it was really good. I do like it [the direction of the course]I think the water came up quite quickly and running away from the collecting ring. The feel of the course was really good. I think the frangible idea, there is a place for it in the sport now and I thought he [Stuart Buntine] designed a really nice track for us.

Chabert and Classic VI are now preparing for the Mars Badminton Horse Trials CCI5* in May.

the Eventing Spring Carnival offers a range of activities for the whole family, including hobby horsing, a Mother’s Day Treasure Hunt, and the Kids in the Courtyard experience. Spectators can also enjoy displays by the Sherwood Outlaws and thrilling gun dog demonstrations.

Further Investigation: With Badminton Horse Trials on the horizon, U.S. eventing fans should keep a close eye on McEwen, Stevens, and Collett. How will their performances at the Eventing Spring Carnival translate to the challenges of Badminton? Also, the growing popularity of eventing in the U.S. raises the question: When will we see a similar “Spring Carnival” atmosphere stateside?

McEwen and JL Dublin Dominate Lycetts Grantham Cup, Setting Sights on Badminton

Nottinghamshire’s Thoresby Hall played host to a thrilling Lycetts Grantham Cup, where the world’s top eventing talent clashed in a high-stakes showdown. The competition, thick with British Olympic stars, saw immaculate showjumping performances across the board, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish that had spectators on the edge of their seats.

Tom McEwen, riding JL Dublin, delivered a masterclass in cross-country riding, securing the win and underscoring their status as world number one.Their faultless performance,finishing on their dressage score of 24.5,put immense pressure on the other contenders.

McEwen elaborated on JL Dublin’s exceptional form: He’s feeling very good. He’s been very fresh all day which has been lovely. Showjumping today he was like a man possessed and the same cross-country… I knew I wanted to use this for prep. This victory serves as crucial planning for their anticipated appearance at the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials.

McEwen’s strategic approach to the course was evident. there was only one way Dubs was going and that was quick so I thought I would let him rock and roll and he really utilised his huge long stride everywhere and everything is so free flowing and the course really played into that. This win also earned McEwen the Lycetts Leading Rider title and a £1,000 bonus.

Gemma Stevens, continuing her impressive run at the eventing spring Carnival, secured second place with Jalapeno III. Their dressage score of 24.6 placed them just ahead of Laura Collett and Ros Canter.

Stevens expressed her delight: I’m absolutely chuffed to bits… she’s 17 years old and she’s hopefully going to Badminton and I thought what have I got to lose, come on girl, let’s make the time, and she really answered me, galloped round gamely inside the time. not too shabby to be 0.1 behind old Tommy!

Stevens also praised the ground conditions: It couldn’t be more perfect; it’s given us all fantastic runs this weekend ready for badminton or whatever the horses are going on to do. There are a few good questions out there. It’s made us all think a bit!

Laura Collett, riding London 52, finished third after adding just two seconds of time penalties to their score. Collett emphasized the importance of a good run: I just wanted to give him a nice run, the ground is literally perfect. He’s not one that you can run slowly, he needs to be on it. He’s just amazing.

Collett also lauded the course design: I think thay’ve done an amazing job of the course,wholly different to the last couple of years,running it in a different direction was quite good. The water coming early was a bit of a challenge for them.

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, the overnight leaders, took a more conservative approach on the cross-country, adding 5.2-time penalties and finishing in fourth place.

Collett and Dacapo Claim CCI4-S Victory

The Eventing Spring Carnival also featured two CCI4-S sections, showcasing a wealth of eventing talent.Laura Collett, riding Dacapo, emerged victorious in one of these sections, finishing on a score of 34.1.

Collett described Dacapo’s performance: He was lovely, couldn’t fault him to be honest and we all know he does what he feels like and he was very happy and had a jolly time so I had a jolly time and the good thing with him is you know as soon as you get out the start box, I jumped fence one and I was like I’m going to have a nice ride today so yeah he’s quite the character but can’t fault him when he’s like that.

The Eventing Spring Carnival continues to grow in popularity, providing a vital atmosphere for horses and riders preparing for major spring events. There’s a grate crowd here which creates a really good atmosphere for the first big one, it’s quite a buzzy arena for the showjumping and the crowd is out on the cross-country which really gives that international feel to get them back in the swing of things to prepare for the bigger competitions later on in the year, an event spokesperson noted.

Gemma Stevens once again secured second place, this time with Flash Cooley, despite a minor setback. He was super, but for some reason, misread the first corner coming out of the water and had the pin. he stormed round the rest of the course; he was still which is great and I’m really pleased with them.

Stevens also rode Chilli King to second place,adding just 4.4-time penalties to his dressage score. I’m absolutely thrilled with him as he is a really green horse at this level. He jumped a superb double clear and did one of his nicest, most relaxed dressage to date.

Stevens highlighted Chilli King’s potential: He stepped up very gently last year and now feels ready to crack on – I’m hoping to take him to Bramham this summer. He is a really sensitive person, he’s the most amazing jumper, incredibly careful, and scopey so just because of his sensitivity and his scope and carefulness we have taken it really slowly with him.I think this year he is just coming into himself and is ready to show the world that he is going to be awesome.

Stevens discussed how her showjumping experience benefits her eventing: The showjumps look so small and you have to get up into such a cog to ride round these world ranking classes I’ve been doing the last two weeks and then I came in and Dickie (Waygood) said to me as I went in “watch the time” on the first horse. Obviously Tim was first on Vitali and got a couple of seconds over and then I think I was eight seconds inside the time, but it’s nice as then it just feels easy and I think with the jumping you have to be so so quick in your reactions at that level, I think it also helps with the cross country.

Kirsty chabert Wins Polly Phillips memorial Trophy

Kirsty Chabert was awarded the polly Phillips Memorial Trophy,presented to the highest-placed rider in the Lycetts Grantham Cup who has yet to represent Great Britain on a senior championship team. The trophy honors Polly Phillips, who tragically died in a fall in 1999.

Chabert, finishing fifth with Classic VI, expressed her gratitude: It’s an honor and it’s something we’ve all worked towards and it’s really lovely that we can keep it going and what an honour to win it.

Chabert also commented on the course: I had a fab run; it was really good.I do like it [the direction of the course]I think the water came up quite quickly and running away from the collecting ring. The feel of the course was really good. I think the frangible idea, there is a place for it in the sport now and I thought he [Stuart Buntine] designed a really nice track for us.

Chabert and Classic VI are now preparing for the Mars Badminton Horse Trials CCI5 in May.