THE CCI4*-S class boasted one of the bigger entries of the week, with 31 combinations presenting in front of the Ground Jury, Joanne Jarden (IRL) and Emmanuelle Olier (FRA).

There were three combinations using this as their preparation for the MARS Badminton Horse Trials, a testament to course designer Helen West and the team at the venue. Gaspard Maksud (FRA) and Martin Thurlow and Jane Young’s 13-year old mare, Zaragoza (AES) will be full of confidence after their win.

Leading after the first phase, they briefly relinquished their advantage following a fence down in the show jumping.

However, as the only combination to achieve the optimum time on the day, they fought back to reclaim their place at the top of the podium.

“It was the perfect preparation for Badminton for her, the ground was great and she likes running fast close to her big event, so I felt I could really go for it out on the cross-country,” commented Maksud.

“She’s quite a stressy mare, so I don’t run her often, but I like how Helen (West) builds her tracks, big and bold and on forward distances, so I thought that combined with the ground conditions would work well.

“The mare has really grown into herself and matured, so I’m excited about the future with her.”

Jasmine Underwood (GBR) and Indian Girl G (KWPN) will be equally pleased with their weekend, adding just 2.8 time penalties on the cross-country course to their dressage score of 28.6 penalties leaving them in second overall.

A truly international podium was completed by Alex Hua Tian (CHN), who took third place with Chapel House, an Irish Sport Horse bred by John O’Sullivan.

Sarah Ennis was the highest-placed Irish rider on the Badminton-bound Granstown Jackson (ISH) (TIH) in fourth place on a score of 35.4 penalties.

Notable mention must go to Tom Nestor and Cooley Diamond Dancer, who placed seventh on their first attempt at this level.

This combination are team and individual silver medallists from the Junior Europeans in Strzegom in 2024, and team silver medallists from the Young Rider Europeans at the same venue last year.