THE NutriScience Equine CCI4*-L class had record-breaking entries for Ballindenisk with 37 competitors lining up to face the ground jury. A huge number of horses travelled from the UK, possibly owing to the European Championships being held at Blenheim Palace, meaning there was no equivalent class as would normally be the case.

It was tight at the top after the first phase with the top four all within less than one penalty. British rider Sarah Hedges and Igna (KWPN) just held the top spot after being awarded a score of 31.2 penalties by the ground jury of Wiebke Henning (GER), Marie Hennessy (IRL) and Faith Ponsonby (IRL). Nicole Mills and Joolz (KWPN) were close behind on 31.5 penalties. Unfortunately for both combinations their luck would end on cross-country day, with Mills falling on the flat before fence 14 and Hedges and her mount Igna parting company at the roller at fence 10.