Bramham Horse Trials 2016: Tattersall predicts huge future for Holly

BRAMHAM winner Gemma Tattersall tipped York's Holly Woodhead to have a massive future after benefitting from the 22-year-old's show jumping heartbreak in the CIC three-star.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Jun 2016, 18:30 BST
Updated 13th Jun 2016, 17:43 BST
NOT TO BE: Holly Woodhead riding DHI Lupison in action in the British Equestrian Trade Association CIC*** Showjumping during day four of the Bramham Horse Trials at Bramham Park. Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire.NOT TO BE: Holly Woodhead riding DHI Lupison in action in the British Equestrian Trade Association CIC*** Showjumping during day four of the Bramham Horse Trials at Bramham Park. Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire.
NOT TO BE: Holly Woodhead riding DHI Lupison in action in the British Equestrian Trade Association CIC*** Showjumping during day four of the Bramham Horse Trials at Bramham Park. Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire.

One year after winning Bramham’s Bishop Burton College Under-25s CCI three-star on DHI Lupison, Woodhead and her star gelding led the 2016 CIC event from the outset but dropped from first to eighth in Sunday’s show jumping finale.

A perfect clear round from overnight second Tattersall on Chico Bella P left Woodhead no margin for error, but the York rider and DHI Lupison put three fences down, much to the anguish of the Bramham crowd.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But a gracious Tattersall felt plenty of sympathy for the home favourite who Tattersall said would soon be regaining the winning thread.

NOT TO BE: Holly Woodhead riding DHI Lupison in action in the British Equestrian Trade Association CIC*** Showjumping during day four of the Bramham Horse Trials at Bramham Park. Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire.NOT TO BE: Holly Woodhead riding DHI Lupison in action in the British Equestrian Trade Association CIC*** Showjumping during day four of the Bramham Horse Trials at Bramham Park. Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire.
NOT TO BE: Holly Woodhead riding DHI Lupison in action in the British Equestrian Trade Association CIC*** Showjumping during day four of the Bramham Horse Trials at Bramham Park. Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire.

“Obviously that’s our sport and it’s really hard to deal with,” said Tattersall of Woodhead’s misfortune.

“Holly is a great competitor and she’s very sweet and came up and congratulated me.

“Holly will come out and win again - there’s no doubt about that.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“She’s an extremely talented young rider. She’s only 22 and to have done what she has achieved so far is pretty amazing. I’m sure she will go on to achieve a lot more things.”

NOT TO BE: Holly Woodhead riding DHI Lupison in action in the British Equestrian Trade Association CIC*** Showjumping during day four of the Bramham Horse Trials at Bramham Park. Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire.NOT TO BE: Holly Woodhead riding DHI Lupison in action in the British Equestrian Trade Association CIC*** Showjumping during day four of the Bramham Horse Trials at Bramham Park. Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire.
NOT TO BE: Holly Woodhead riding DHI Lupison in action in the British Equestrian Trade Association CIC*** Showjumping during day four of the Bramham Horse Trials at Bramham Park. Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire.

Victory for Tattersall continued the rider’s fantastic 2016 which featured a third-placed finish at Badminton in May.

The 31-year-old will now hope to be selected as one of four riders set to represent Team GB at this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio.

Tattersall will learn her fate on July 5 when selectors make their call, and on recent evidence the rider is a certainty to be boarding the plane.

“I absolutely love Bramham,” beamed Tattersall.

“It’s one of my favourite events.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I love the park here, it’s such a great atmosphere, it’s really well run and we always have a really good time here.

“Being third at Badminton and winning here is at the top of what I have achieved.

“I’m just trying to keep up the momentum and stay positive and keep everyone in one piece and enjoy it.”

Related topics:York