A packed show at Houghton

Another great weekend for Lucinda at Houghton International – she was very impressed with the venue and organisation as it had to cope with many more than usual riders because of other cancellations.

Flying Finish (pictured right at Houghton doing dressage) helped the Australian Team to second place in the Nation’s Cup by coming fourth in the CIC*** , Rovello was pipped to second in the CCI* and brave Little Britannia completed her debut event despite needing a total of 36 stitches to a stable injury – no permanent damage.

Flying Finish came fourth in the 3* behind two of the top British riders, Piggy French and Sarah Cohen, and New Zealand’s Mark Todd. “I think he’s notched up his his seventh consecutive double-clear at CIC 3* level” Lucinda told us.”I didn’t set out to go really fast, but his speed increased as he went round” she added.

Rovello’s first one-star saw him coming in second place “he was beaten by a really lovely nine-year old called “Wow”" and Lucinda was delighted with his attitude and will to win, despite only having competed in the shorter novice cross-country courses previously.

Millie (Little Britannia) suffered a freak accident and received stitches in the fleshy part of her lips. “The vet did a fantastic job and assured me there was no harm in running her quietly in the BYEH class after having her stitches – I didn’t have to run her, but she seemed so happy and content that I let her do the event one step at a time, using a bitless bridle. It was her first competition out in public and very good exposure as well as being an important stepping-stone in her education” Lucinda added.

Lucinda’s pupil Charlotte Grey, in her first 3* on Currachase had a super dressage and SJ but suffered a run-out at the end of the cross-country course. And Groom Emz on Shaunlara Clover Abbey had an unlucky fall in the one-star event which put paid to her chances. Both horse and rider were unhurt. The Navigator, successful at Little Downham and Aston Le Walls over the last couple of weeks, was taking a well-earned rest.

The FEI’s first team Eventing series, the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing 2012, débuted at Fontainebleau in March .The brand new six-leg series, which will take place on a trial basis this year, is open to all nations fielding one team composed of 3 or 4 riders at each leg. The FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing 2012 will be run under FEI Eventing rules at CICO and CCIO 3* level and riders will accumulate points under a dedicated system created for the new series.

Houghton Hall hostedthe second leg on 24-27 May, followed by Strzegom (POL) on 1-3 June 2012 and Aachen (GER) on 3-8 July. The series then heads to Montelibretti (ITA) on 21-23 September, with the last leg in Boekelo (NED) on 11-14 October.The Aus team comprises Lucinda, Wendy Shaeffer, Catherine Burrell, and Sam Griffiths.