The third qualifier for the Express Eventing series, held at this year’s Game Fair at Blenheim Palace, was won convincingly by Matthew Wright on Sir John Peace’s If You Want II who finished on his dressage score of 21. His winner’s cheque for £3000 was presented by Wright Hassall LLP, one of the series’ sponsors.
The Express Eventing series has been designed to showcase the three disciplines of eventing within one arena in a campaign to introduce the sport to a wider audience. Paul Rice, a partner in Wright Hassall’s equine team, commented that the express format was ideal for demonstrating why the sport is so exciting as well as being able to explain how the three phases work together to achieve the overall result. “This is particularly good in advance of next year’s Olympics where team GB is a real contender for gold. The more people that understand and enjoy the sport, the greater the support will be.
“We’re delighted to be involved with the series, and we’re looking forward to what, I’m sure, will be a nail-biting finish at HOYS in October.”
Alex Hua Tian, the UK-based Chinese rider, and Harry Meade were second and third respectively and both have qualified for the final which will be held on 4 October at HOYS. The final qualifier is being held at the British Festival of Eventing at Gatcombe, 6-7 August, where Matthew Wright will be hoping to win his fourth qualifier in a row.
