Piggy French Wins 3* Event, NZ Triumphant in Teams at Blenheim

New Zealand has won the London 2012 eventing team Olympic qualifier at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials with Japan seconed and Australia third.

The Kiwis had already qualified for London with the bronze medal win at the 2010 World Equestrian Games, so it was second placed Japan who took the spot ahead of the Australians. 

In the three star three day event, Clarke Johnstone and Orient Express were the best of the Kiwis with a seventh place finish, while in the three star eight and nine-year-old event Caroline Powell aboard Onwards and Upwards finished fifth with Lucy Jackson on Kilcoltrim Ambassador in eighth spot.

Results for the three star three day event were as follows: Piggy French (GBR) DHI Topper W 47.1 1, Clarke Johnstone (NZL) Orient Express VI 55.9 7, Jonathan Paget (NZL) Clifton Razz 64.7 17, Lucy Jackson (NZL) Willy Do 65.2 19, Andrew Nicholson (NZL) Qwanza 66.5 20, Neil Spratt (NL) Elton II 81 40.

William Fox-Pitt today took first and third places in the British Championship (CIC***) class for 8/9 year old horses at The Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, with last year's second placed combination - Sarah Cohen and Treason, second once again.

William's winning ride, the 9 year old Oslo, owned by the Fox-Pitt Eventing Partnership retained their lead after showjumping, despite incurring 1.2 time penalties, finishing on a score of 43.5.  4.4 penalties separated the winner and second. William finished third on Lionheart, owned by Mr Jeremy and Mrs Judith Skinner, on exactly the same cross country time.

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