Andrew Hoy leads after dressage at Blenheim

Andrew Hoy is the overnight leader at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials going into the cross-country.

Big test

The Australian’s rider is on 34pen after in the dressage, which puts him just 1.4pen ahead of Emily King in second place.

Andrew was riding Cheeky Calimbo, on whom he won the three-star at Luhmuhlen in June.

“It’s a matter of maintaining the score now,” said Andrew. “I’ve set myself a bench mark to win this event and I think I’ll have to finish on that score to win, so tomorrow is going to be a big test.

“There are some big fences on the cross-country course. People think that Blenheim is flat, but it’s not and I think it will be difficult to get the time.”

Pressure is on

William Fox-Pitt is holding the third spot with Fernhill Pimms (35.8pen), on whom he won the CIC3* at Blenheim last year.

“It’s his first big one this year and he’s had a quiet season, he was superb here in the eight- and nine-year-old last year, he’s a very sensible horse, plenty of presence, he really did a super test and now the pressure is on,” said William.

William has two other horses in the top ten: Freddie Mac in fifth (38pen) and Seacookie (41.8pen), who won Blenheim in 2012.Francis Whittington is fourth with Easy Target (35.8).

Great riders

Sam Griffithsis the current leader in the CIC3* eight/nine-year-old, with Favorit Z (36.6). Dutch rider Tim Lips is second onboard Bayro (39.3pen), while France’s Thomas Carlile and Sirocco du Gersare third (41.4pen)

‘We’re absolutely thrilled to be in the lead,” said Sam. “I’ve been working really hard with Gareth Hughes, my trainer, and this is an event we’ve targeted for quite a while.

“Now I’m in the lead I want to stay in the lead, but there are some great riders behind me so it’s not going to be easy. Dressage is this horse’s strongest phase. He has the ability but would have to go well.”