Wilson is hoping Opposition Buzz can thrive in Germany challenge

Wilson produced two strong showings at the weekend’s Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials to finish fifth on Annie Clover and ninth on Beltane Queen – both in the feature CCI three-star.

Now the in-form rider is preparing to conquer Germany in the Lühmuhlen CCI four-star on the horse that helped her to a London 2012 Olympic silver medal – Opposition Buzz.

Beverley’s Gary Parsonage will also bid for glory with Sligo Luckyvalier.

Now 16 years of age, Rosemary Search’s Opposition Buzz helped Wilson to a team eventing runners-up berth at last summer’s Games and having such high-profile targets has often caused the gelding’s other assignments to be few and far between.

But this week’s competition at Lühmuhlen is just one of six CCI four-star events on the eventing calendar with Wilson and Search deciding on an exciting bid for glory on German soil.

Opposition Buzz was last seen when finishing 30th in May’s CCI four-star event at Badminton with Wilson reporting her charge in fine form ahead of this week’s exciting foreign assignment.

“Buzz was in such fine form at Badminton this year,” said Wilson.

“For the past few years, as I have been saving him for team selection later in the year, he hasn’t run in many three-day events.

“Therefore, as he is not getting younger, Rosemary Search and myself thought we should enjoy him while he is still capable of competing at such a high level and he enjoys himself so much on the cross-country phase,” she said.

Wilson also enjoyed herself at Bramham where Annie Clover scooped Wilson’s mother Mary Tweddle the Angela Cotton Memorial Trophy for being the highest placed mare.

Wilson’s Beltane Queen – owned by Val and Ann Robson – also finished eighth.

“I could not have been more proud of the ‘girls’,” said Wilson.

“They have performed beautifully in all three phases and were both so brave over a very tough cross-country course, that I believe was a bit more testing than the course at this year’s Badminton.

“At the beginning of her dressage test, Beltane Queen held her breath, therefore not producing her best in the first part of the test but she gained confidence throughout and finished very well.

“It is her first time in such an atmosphere for the dressage phase and for her to find her feet and relax as she proceeded is very exciting for the future.

“Annie Clover was not far off the pace in the dressage but was unfortunate to break in the counter-counter, which was a costly mistake.

“Her cool head is a much-desired quality in this phase.

“This event will have given them a great deal of experience and confidence and above all they both enjoyed themselves.”

Both horses will now be handed a short break before building up to an autumn three-day event.

In the meantime, Wilson will be going for gold in Germany safe in the knowledge she has two likely future stars waiting back at home who are both just nine-years-old.

Wilson added: “To have two young horses that are not only capable of performing at this level, but also to be in the top 10 is exciting for the future.

“They both show a great deal of potential and they are great deputies to Opposition Buzz.”

Wilson will be joined at Lühmuhlen by 2013 Bramham winner William Fox-Pitt who will be represented by Lionheart and Neuf des Coeurs.

Also making the trip is 
Zara Phillips with her High Kingdom.

New Zealand’s world No 1 Andrew Nicholson will be represented by two out of Qwanza, Mr Cruise Control and Rathmoyle King.

Home favourite Michael Jung – the current world No 3 – will compete Halunke FBW and Fischerrocana in the event’s three-star competition.

Closer to home, this coming weekend also sees the Skipton Horse Trials take place on Saturday and Sunday.

There are three Novice classes, four BE100 events and five BE90 competitions.

Huddersfield’s Oliver Townend – who is not competing at Lühmuhlen – currently has Royale Sam, Red Andes Fanfare, Mister Strider, Perusing and LC Cooley entered in Skipton Novice classes.

In-form Ben Hobday also has five Novice entries – namely Shadowstone, Voltreffer, C Amelusina R 71, Ciletto H and Burlea Seamerchant.

Hobday was 11th in the CCI three-star under-25s class at Bramham on Murlys Error.

Another notable Skipton entry is Germany’s Franca Luedeke with Quaid – also in a Novice class.

Luedeke was third in the CIC three-star event at Bramham after dressage on board Parlando 23.

Luedeke also has Cero Song entered in a BE100 event.

Among the other Yorkshire riders bidding for Novice glory is Briestfield’s Alexandra Farrar-Fry – the BE90 Badminton Grassroots winner of 2011.

Farrar-Fry will be on board Diamond Trefoil.