DUNEDIN-born Clarke Johnstone headed the Kiwi raid in the feature CCI4*-L, and in doing so, landed his first European FEI win since arriving in England 18 months ago. As the sole rider to compete on his dressage score (28.5), Johnstone was delighted with the result especially as it also secured his Olympic partnership qualification with the 13-year-old Menlo Park, a horse as well travelled as his owner. Now based at Aston Farm in Gloucestershire, the home of Captain Mark Phillips, Johnstone had held third spot on the flat behind compatriot Samantha Lissington (Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ) and Sarah Bullimore (Corouet), before taking the lead after a thrilling round in the country.

As the highest placed Kiwi at the Rio Olympics, Johnstone is on the trail again, and looks to have a likely contender in this son of Eurocommerce Berlin, who was originally produced by Kevin McNab and Oliver Townend. Picking up the story, Johnstone explained: “He was imported from England by Australian international rider Tim Boland, who took him through the ranks to three-star level. Unfortunately, Tim got injured, but it meant that I was lucky enough to buy him, and he travelled over to England with me some 18 months ago. He gave me a great ride over what was lovely ground yesterday. We will give him a break now, then decide whether to aim for Boekelo or Pau to finish the year.”

Never a slouch across the country, Jonelle Price came within a whisker of making the time with new ride Hiarado but with too much ground to make up on the flat, settled for second spot. “She’s small, stubborn and feisty – just how I like them!” said Price of the 11-year-old Diarado-sired mare. “She was formerly ridden by Grace Taylor and Jodie Amos, and has been bought for me by David and Katherine Thompson, who own my world championship ride McClaren. I was missing my old retired mares like Classic Moet and Faerie Dianimo, and having stumbled across this one, I sat on her and immediately loved her. She’s allergic to hitting a fence, and if I have a rail it’s my fault.” Reflecting on her round, she added, “I thought that the cross-country here was a good, fair course and tougher than I imagined.” Having gained this qualification, Price has now put the mare in the frame for Paris next year, and may now travel to Pau in October.

Missed out

Completing the Kiwi whitewash, third-placed Samantha Lissington missed out on higher glory after adding both time and show jump penalties, while world number one Tim Price settled for fourth with the clean jumping German-bred Viscount Viktor.

Despite not featuring in the top five, Irish riders clustered well to fill the next four placings. Joseph Murphy enjoyed a great spin with Dr Sarah Hughes’ veteran Barrichello, and also with the Kindred Spirits syndicate-owned Belline Fighting Spirit. Both were unfortunate to pick up show jumping penalties, as were Patrick Whelan (Piltown OBOS) and Patrick Byrne (Oughterard Diva) who completed next in line.

The class of 23 runners was certainly not without incident, and the first upset befell the fancied partnership of Sarah Bullimore and Corouet. As former members of the British senior squad and placed third individually in the European championships in Avenches two years ago, the pair had shared the dressage lead and were among the favourites to win. Unfortunately, they parted company at the tricky first element of the water complex (7a) and were one of three combinations to walk home. A further four picked up isolated refusals out on track, two of which occurred at the narrow right-handed corner at the sixth.

As usual, Tony Hurley’s clever show jumping track wielded its influence, and as instructed by the Ground Jury was fully up to height and width. As a result, just six of the final 17 runners left the poles intact – and building the tension, it was apt that four of these filled the top five placings.