This was just the third competitive outing for the combination who were third in a section of the CIC1* at Hambleden in mid-April. Granntevka Prince finished fourth in the World Cup qualifier at Tattersalls in 2010 under Lucy Wiegersma who also rode the now 14-year-old in the four-star events of Burghley, Lexington, Luhmuhlen and Pau (twice).

Owner/breeders David and Gerry Mills were happy for their horse to drop down the levels this year and Bleekman hopes to be selected for the Dutch team at the junior European championships at Bishop Burton in August. Granntevka Prince is by the Anglo European stallion Grannex, who stands at the Bleekman family’s Whorridge Stud in Devon, out of the British Sport Horse mare Showgirl Ditton Peace, a daughter of the thoroughbred Prince Of Peace.

Bleekman was among those in the last session of dressage on Thursday before the ground jury of Britain’s Jane Tolley (H) and Andrew Fletcher (C) and Ireland’s Joan Ahern (B) and received a penalty score of 36.3. This left the combination more than three points clear of fellow British pairing Charlotte East and King Albert (39.6) with Ireland’s Cathal Daniels next best on 42.5 with Mister Brightside.

Britain’s Annie Keir was lying fourth overnight with the first of her two rides, Ardagh Highlight (44.4) but, after picking up 2.4 cross-country time penalties to drop to seventh, was eliminated when the Puissance gelding refused twice in Saturday’s concluding show jumping phase.

Twenty-four of the 35 combinations were home clear within the time over the fixed fences with seven others just picking up time penalties. The latter group included East and King Albert (3.6) who dropped to third while 0.8 of a time penalty saw Daniels in fifth place overnight with his second ride Camee (46.6).

There were very few problems in jumping. Three combinations, Romy Ronan and Really Rich, Jemma Parkhill and Summerhill Echo and Casey Webb and Hill Dancer, picked up 20 penalties at the Dunboyne Castle Hotel Moat. The last-named was eliminated when slipping up on the flat after fence 18, the Keegan Quarries Cottage. Hannah Phillips had a glance-off at the Qashqai brush corner with Hazel Rock Sun.

Sadly, both OLS Back Chat (Shannon Nelson) and Derroon Wood (Conor Maguire) were eliminated at the second horse inspection.

The Juniors show jumped in reverse order of merit and there were some major changes following this phase. Two of the six clears over the coloured poles were recorded by the ever-cool Lucy Latta who, supported by parents, grandparents and many other family members, finished eighth and fourth on her dressage scores with DHI Broadway (52.9) and Cleo Ferro (46.7).

The Cathal Daniels-partnered Camee dropped right down the order with 16 jumping penalties and the Co Galway rider returned to third place when Mister Brightside lowered the second part of the double at nine. Charlotte East frustratingly knocked the first fence, the Mossvale oxer, to finish fifth with King Albert.

Meanwhile a clear from Annie Keir and the 13-year-old Cult Hero gelding Flying Machine saw them gradually improve from fourth overnight as they remained on their flat work mark of 45.8. They got no further than second however as Bleekman had two fences in hand with Granntevka Prince, which she didn’t need, as an excellent clear saw her win on her dressage score (36.3).

“I first visited Tattersalls when I was 12 and always wanted to compete here as it’s such a nice place and everyone is so friendly,” said Bleekman who left school aged 16 to concentrate on a career with horses. “I thought the cross-country track was good – not too many skinnies – but, although it was nice and flowing, you had to attack it.

“Lucy has done a wonderful job with Granntevka Prince and I’m definitely aiming to be back here next year for the Under 25 two-star!” Bleekman finished 13th in the latter class this year with Prince Apollo.

As Margaret Kinsella’s Mister Brightside has over 130 SJI points, Daniels was disappointed to have a fence down with the Ricardo Z gelding on whom he took over the mount this season. “Tattersalls just hasn’t been the best place for me this weekend,” said the rider who was eliminated in the Under 25 class with Rioghan Rua.