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.