TWESELDOWN CIC */ CCI** MAY 24-28
UK based Californian sportswoman, Liz Halliday, who competes both as an equestrian in Three Day Eventing and as a racing driver in prestigious international sportscar races such as the Le Mans 24 Hours, competed two horses in the recent Tweseldown International Horse Trials last weekend.
The first horse Harry (Silken Crisp) entered the CCI**, finishing 17th from 108 entrants; while Oscar (Arctic Knight II) took part in the unaffiliated CIC* class and came home 6th out of over 50 starters.
Harry (Silken Crisp) Thursday’s CCI** dressage proved difficult for Liz and Harry thanks to the damp and sodden arena but they still placed a respectable 40th position.
“Harry (Silken Crisp) warmed up really well for the Dressage," said Liz, “and I was feeling pretty optimistic for a good test. When I entered the Dressage arena to start my test, I realized that all along the edges of the arena was really deep mud from all of the horses that done their test on it already. Unfortunately, Harry has never been a horse to go well in mud, and even though he tried his best, I could feel that he struggled through a lot of the movements to keep his balance.”
Onto the CCI** Cross Country and Harry was fabulous. “I knew that I had to go clear and inside the time in order to have a shot at finishing well in the event and Harry was fantastic,” said Liz. “He made the course feel easy and I am confident now that he will soon be ready for Advanced level which we are hoping to move him up to later in the year.” Liz and Harry were clear and inside the time on the Cross Country, just 2 second off the optimum time.
They started the show jumping phase in 25th place, and the now tired horse really performed in the arena. “Harry tried so hard to jump a clear round today,” said Liz. “Unfortunately I didn’t give him the best ride to fence 4 and we got a bit too close and had the one rail down, but I am confident that he would have jumped clear otherwise.” Even with a rail down, Liz moved up to 17th place and in the money – overall a very good event for the pair.
Oscar (Arctic Knight II)Oscar hadn’t competed since Portugal in March due to an illness, but came out on fine form with an impressive Dressage score in the CIC*, placing 2nd at the start of the competition.
In the show jumping the next day, a phase that was always hardest for Oscar, he was brilliant and jumped a clear round for Liz, maintaining their 2nd place as they went into Sunday’s Cross Country phase.
Liz knew that to retain 2nd place she would have to go clear and inside the time. But it was also important to give the horse a good round given a lack of Cross Country practice for him since March.
Ultimately Oscar did a great job, but unfortunately had 3 time faults, dropping he and Liz to a still impressive 6th place.
“Oscar was fabulous this weekend and I’m just kicking myself for having some time faults!” said Liz, “However I knew that Oscar hadn’t done Cross Country for a while and is still a slightly inexperienced, big horse that needs time to think on course. I suppose I just made the option to give him a positive, confidence giving round over pushing hard enough for the 2nd place finish. I am very pleased with him though and am confident that there will be other chances to us to be at the top.”
Next event with Harry and Oscar is the Salperton Park Horse Trials in Gloucestershire, England on June 24th.
