“I’M delighted with Licence To Cooley, he was fantastic on the day,” said John Tilley of his winning ride in the Bedmax EI115 (Open) at Grove. The combination’s phenomenal dressage score of 18, awarded by judge Faith Ponsonby, left them over nine marks ahead of their nearest competitor after the first phase and enabled them to maintain their lead, despite the addition of 9.2 cross-country time faults.

“I thought it was a really good course,” said Tilley afterwards. “There were plenty of questions on it, it was beautifully presented and up to height and, considering the lack of rain, the ground was surprisingly good.” Tilley’s 12-year-old gelding by Balou de Rouet Z will now be aimed at the CCI4*-S at both Aston-le-Walls and Millstreet, ahead of the long format event at Blenheim.