Strong start for the Brits

Longines EEF Nations Cup CSIO3*, Gorla Minore, Italy

THE British team got off to a strong start in the first of the European Equestrian Federation (EEF) series of three-star Nations Cups, finishing in second with just six penalties on the board, despite withdrawing the fourth team member before the second round.

The series has been established to promote young riders, with each team having to contain at least one under-25 competitor. Di Lampard’s line-up combined 24-year-old Georgia Tame (Z7 Ascot) with the addition of some very experienced hands, in the form of John Whitaker (Unick Du

Francport) and Laura Renwick (Dublin V), with the squad completed by 29-year-old Alison Barton (Roma IV).

Laura Renwick and Arabella Prior’s 13-year-old gelding produced two clear rounds – one of only four combinations from 44 starters to do so.

Georgia added just one time-penalty in the first round on Z7’s 10-year-old bay stallion, while John produced a first-round clear with his own and his wife Clare’s 13-year-old, but tipped the first rail of the combination and added one time-penalty in the second.

But it was not Alison Barton’s day when Gay Hartley’s 14-yearold mare Roma IV was eliminated at the stile at the fourth fence, and it was decided not to present her for the second round.

France took the top position on the podium, with double clears from two of their squad, while the other two members added one fence apiece to complete with four penalties on the board.

“There were three outstanding performances today,” said Di. “We had bad luck with Roma, she just wasn’t herself today so we made the decision to withdraw her.”

Spain’s Sergio Alvarez Moya and 2019 World Cup champion Alamo were on form in the 1.50m grand prix, where they delivered the fastest of six double clears to scoop the €13,125 (£11,412) prize.

The 13-year-old gelding, previously owned by Gerado Pasquel Mendez and most recently ridden by Daniel

Bluman, was purchased for him in February by owner Sergio Ramos, captain of Real Madrid.

Billy Twomey collected third with his own and Sue Davis’s 13-year-old Chat Botte ED, with John Whitaker and Unick Du Francport just 0.06sec behind for fourth.

“There were three outstanding performances”

DI LAMPARD