McEwen and JL Dublin triumph at Lycetts Grantham Cup
Tom McEwen and JL Dublin delivered a masterful performance at Thoresby Hall in Nottinghamshire, securing victory in the Lycetts Grantham Cup. Their faultless cross-country round, completed within the optimum time, cemented their win and underscored their world number one ranking.
Olympians Dominate Tightly Contested event
The competition was fierce, with several British Olympians vying for the title. The top contenders, including all four members of the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal-winning team, remained within striking distance throughout the event, promising a thrilling finish for spectators.
mcewen Praises JL Dublin’s Performance on Grass
mcewen lauded JL Dublin’s extraordinary form, noting his freshness and enthusiasm both in showjumping and cross-country. “He was like a man possessed,” McEwen remarked, emphasizing the horse’s long stride and free-flowing movement, which perfectly suited the course. Looking ahead,McEwen indicated that this event served as crucial preparation for the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials,particularly given the grass footing,a departure from the surfaces used in recent competitions.
stevens secures Second, Collett Takes Third
Gemma Stevens, riding Jalapeno III, continued her remarkable form at the Eventing Spring Carnival, finishing a close second on their dressage score of 24.6. Laura Collett, partnered with London 52, three-time five-star winner, secured third place after adding a few seconds over the time allowed in the cross-country phase.
Course Conditions Lauded by Riders
Stevens and Collett both praised the excellent ground conditions at Thoresby Hall,noting that it provided ideal preparation for upcoming events like Badminton. Collett acknowledged the challenges presented by the course design, particularly the early water complex.
Canter Finishes Just Outside Podium
Ros Canter, the overnight leader with Lordships Graffalo, adopted a more conservative approach on the cross-country, incurring time penalties that ultimately placed them fourth.
McEwen’s victory earned him the Lycetts Leading Rider award and a £1,000 bonus.
Collett and Dacapo Triumph at Eventing Spring Carnival
GRANTHAM, England — Laura Collett, riding Dacapo, secured a decisive victory at the Eventing Spring Carnival, finishing with a score of 34.1 after dressage, maintaining her lead throughout the competition. Gemma Stevens finished in second place, while Kirsty Chabert earned the Polly Phillips Memorial Trophy.
Collett Praises Dacapo’s performance
Collett expressed delight with dacapo’s performance. “He was lovely; I couldn’t fault him. He was very happy and had a jolly time, so I had a jolly time.” She noted Dacapo’s positive attitude from the start, setting the stage for a prosperous ride.
Spring Carnival Offers Key Preparation
The Eventing Spring Carnival provides a crucial early-season atmosphere for riders preparing for major five-star events. Collett highlighted the event’s buzzing atmosphere and engaged crowds. “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.”
Stevens Takes Second Despite Setback
Gemma Stevens finished in second place. Despite a strong two-phase lead with Flash Cooley,a misjudgment at the water jump cost them valuable points. Stevens said, “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.”
Chilli King Impresses
Stevens also rode Chilli King to secure her second-place finish. Adding only 4.4-time penalties in cross-country to his 33.4 dressage score, Chilli King showcased his potential. “I’m absolutely thrilled with him because 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 plans to take him to Bramham this summer, recognizing his sensitivity and jumping capabilities.
Showjumping Enhances Eventing Skills
Stevens highlighted how her experience in showjumping, including competing at the Hong Kong International Horse Show, benefits her eventing performance. The precision required in showjumping improves reaction times and makes eventing jumps feel more manageable, contributing to faster cross-country times.
Chabert Honored with 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 not yet represented Great Britain’s senior team. The trophy honors polly Phillips, who tragically died in a fall in 1999.
Kirsty Chabert Secures Prestigious eventing Award, Eyes Badminton Horse Trials
[DATE – To be added by editor] – Kirsty chabert has been awarded a prestigious eventing trophy following her impressive performance at a recent Eventing Spring Carnival competition. Chabert’s sights are now set on the Mars Badminton Horse Trials CCI5* in May.
Chabert Honored After Strong Performance with classic VI
Kirsty Chabert received the esteemed award after finishing fifth with Classic VI, achieving a final score of 34.4. The award recognizes consistent excellence and is highly sought after in the eventing community.
“An Honor”: Chabert Reacts to Prestigious Award
“It’s an honour, and it’s something we’ve all worked towards,” Chabert commented on receiving the award. “It’s really lovely that we can keep it going, and what an honour to win it.”
Course praised for Design and Safety Innovations
Chabert also praised the course design. “I had a fab run; it was really good,” she said. ”I do like it [the direction of the course]…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.” Frangible devices are designed to break upon impact, enhancing safety for both horse and rider.
Looking Ahead: Badminton Horse Trials
Chabert and Classic VI are now preparing for the Mars Badminton Horse Trials CCI5* in May, one of the most challenging and prestigious events in the equestrian world.
Eventing Spring Carnival Continues
The Eventing spring Carnival is currently underway, offering a range of activities for the whole family. These include hobby horsing competitions, a Mother’s Day Treasure Hunt, and other attractions.
Advanced tickets are available online.
Eventing Spring Carnival: Your Questions Answered
What is the Lycetts Grantham Cup?
The Lycetts Grantham Cup is a prestigious event within the Eventing Spring Carnival. It’s a key competition for riders, offering valuable planning for major events like the Badminton Horse Trials. Tom McEwen and JL Dublin won the cup, showcasing their world-class form.
What is the importance of the Badminton Horse Trials?
The Mars Badminton Horse Trials CCI5* is one of the most challenging and prestigious events in the equestrian world. It’s a major goal for many eventing riders, offering a notable test of skill and horsemanship. Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI are preparing for this event.
What are “frangible devices” and why is their use praised?
Frangible devices are designed to break upon impact, enhancing safety for both horse and rider. Their use in the course design at the Eventing Spring Carnival was praised for improving safety aspects.
Who is Kirsty Chabert and what award did she win?
Kirsty Chabert is an eventing rider who received the Polly Phillips Memorial Trophy. The trophy is given to the highest-placed rider in the Lycetts Grantham Cup who has not yet represented Great Britain’s senior team.
What are the key elements of eventing?
Eventing combines three disciplines: dressage, show jumping, and cross-country.success depends on skill, horsemanship, and the horse’s athleticism. The Eventing Spring Carnival provides an early-season chance for riders to hone these skills.
What else does the Eventing Spring carnival offer?
Besides the competitive events, the carnival offers a range of family-friendly activities, including hobby horsing competitions and a Mother’s day Treasure hunt.
Ready to learn more? Check out the Eventing Spring Carnival website for full details and ticket information!
