Triple challenge as Phillips targets top honours on Bramham return

Phillips finished third on board High Kingdom in the 2012 renewal with the pairing going on to help Great Britain to a team eventing silver medal at the London Olympics.

And 32-year-old Phillips will now bring a triumvirate of equine hopefuls to Bramham which begins on Thursday, June 6.

Black Tuxedo and Lord Lauries have both been entered for the CCI three-star event with Phillips also set to partner Silver Lining V in the CIC three-star competition.

Both events feature a very strong entry with recent Badminton scorer, New Zealand’s Jonathan Paget, represented by Bullet Proof and Shady Grey in the CIC event.

Another New Zealand star, Mark Todd, will be represented by Leonidas II in the CCI competition with William Fox-Pit also double-handed with Running Order and Chilli Morning in the CCI event. Fox-Pitt also has Before Time in the CIC.

Huddersfield’s Oliver Townend will rely on Douglas and Outside Chance in the CCI with Northallerton’s Nicola Wilson sending Beltane Queen and Annie Clover.

Laura Collett is also competing in the CCI three-star under-25 event on Allora 3.

Of particular interest among Phillips’s three-pronged attack will be Black Tuxedo who finished second in an Advanced section of this month’s Chatsworth International.

Phillips and Black Tuexdo were only denied victory by world No 1 Andrew Nicholson on Qwanza.

The strong Bramham entry has been music to the ears of event director Nicholas Pritchard.

“Reading through this year’s entry list is like a who’s who of eventing and we couldn’t be more excited about three great competitions,” said Pritchard.

“It’s pleasing that the top riders come every year as they know they’ll get a world-class challenge at Bramham.

“William Fox-Pitt is always hard to beat here but with this year’s Badminton champion Jock Paget joining a strong international entry against some great British riders, it promises to be a great four days.”

Wilson and Townend warmed up for their Bramham bids with strong showings last weekend at Floors Castle and Rockingham Castle respectively.

Wilson’s Bramham entry Annie Clover won the Floors Castle Open Intermediate Event ahead of stable-mate Watermill Vision. Wilson’s Ngong Hills was fifth.

Dartans Greenlough Tom won his BE100 section while Night Porter was second in his Novice event with Outrigger seventh in his BE100 section with a double clear.

Townend competed a team of 10 at Rockingham Castle where he sealed five top-10 finishes.

They were headed by new ride Dunbeau who was second in an Intermediate. Cooley SRS was also runner-up in a Novice.

Bramham’s organisers have also announced details of a competition which allows those who have opted for pre-ticket purchases the opportunity to win the value of their order back.

Every advanced order placed online or by phone before the box office closes next Wednesday will be given a unique booking reference. Five of these will be chosen at random when the box office closes to receive the value of that particular order back.

For more info visit www.bramham-horse.co.uk or call 01937 846017.

York and Ainsty South Pony Club are holding a reunion party on Saturday, June 15. Taking place at The Barugh, Carlton Husthwaite, Thirsk, other pony club members are welcome to the event which begins at 3.30pm. There will be a hog roast and desert plus a drink on arrival with those attending asked to bring their own drinks.

Tickets are £15 each though they must be booked and paid for by June 1. Those interested should send a stamped, self-addressed envelope payable to York And Ainsty Reunion, Barry Hudson, 10 West End Avenue, Appleton Roebuck, York, YO23 7DE.