30-31 July
Foxwood Maclean Chilham Castle (2), Kent
ORWAY’S Yasmin Sanderson was the convincing CIC* winner against the stunning backdrop of Chilham Castle.
“It was a real surprise to win and it felt great to get it all together on the same day,” said the 19-year-old.
Riding her own Fleetwater Opposition mare Opposition Angel One, Yasmin was second after dressage on a score of 41.3.
“I’m based with Kirsty Johnston at Landford Common Stud, home of the Opposition horses, and she has helped me on the flat and with our showjumping,” said Yasmin.
The pair went on to jump an easy double clear.
“We’ve struggled slightly with our showjumping this year as I’ve been a bit complacent during our rounds,” explained Yasmin, who is currently on her gap year before heading to Leeds University to study English literature and history.
“Riding horses at home under the watchful eye of Kirsty has done me the world of good.”
Yasmin, who changed nationality to ride for her mother’s country in 2012, plans to take her nine-year-old mare to Osberton CCI2* to gain her young rider European Championship qualification.
Second place went to Italian rider Paolo Belvederesi on his own seven-year-old Steve N.
“I’m so pleased with my horse as the whole event had a real
Ninternational feel and he is still quite green,” explained Paolo, who bought Steve N from Germany in November 2015.
“He had only done a little bit of showjumping and crosscountry schooling, so he has come a long way.
“The cross-country course was big and technical at the end, but Steve is brave and I hope we will get to the sevenyear-old World Championships in October,” said Paolo, an investment manager who came to England for two months in 2013 but loved it so much he stayed and moved his family over to Gloucestershire.
Event organiser Ali Ferry was “thrilled” with the huge number of spectators at Chilham, which has recently invested money in the event and its courses.
“We’re grateful to the castle’s owners Stuart and Tessa Wheeler, who allow one-star competitors to warm-up and perform their dressage test on their immaculate lawn — they do everything they can to ensure the event is perfect.”