Tim Boland Takes an Early Lead at Blenheim CCI3*

Tim Boland at Camperdown Three Day Event in 2010. Photo: Main Event Photography/EA

The Australian contingent competing at this year’s Blenheim CCI3* might be small but the combinations lining up will be serious contenders for the title.

Tim Boland (GV Billy Elliot), Chris Burton (Underdiscussion) and Paul Tapner (Kilronan; Wickstead Didgeridoo) are amongst the 89 combinations competing at the annual event, which is the last CCI3* of the British Eventing season.

Australian based rider Tim Boland made the trip to the UK to serve as a travelling reserve for Australia’s Eventing team for the London Olympic Games. Following the Games Tim stayed behind to compete at Burghley, but chose to withdraw from the holding box at the first horse inspection after his 11 yo gelding sustained a minor foot injury in the lead-up to the event. A week later and fully recovered, the combination is back in action at Blenheim and at the end of the first day of Dressage has taken an early lead over the field after they scored a very impressive 35.20.

“Billy’s a big time performer and we’re hoping to make the Australian team for the World Equestrian Games in 2014 so everything we do from here on in is aimed at making the team that will travel to Normandy,” Tim said.

Fellow Australian Paul Tapner was also in action on day one and scored a 51.40 with Wickstead Didgeridoo to finish the day in 14^th position. Paul gets another chance to compete in the Dressage arena on Friday when he lines up with Kilronan.

London Olympian Chris Burton will also get his chance to make an impression on the field on Friday when he partners with Underdiscussion, the 14 yo gelding which recently won Aachen CIC3O*.

“I have always said that this is a horse that once he got everything right he won’t come second,” Chris said following his win. 

“This little horse gave it everything (at Aachen) and I was so impressed with how easily he jumped the big fences and how much gallop he has. For a little half warmblood, he’s fast,” he added.

Australians Bill Levett (Improvise, Shannondale Titan), Sammi McLeod (LG Wellington) and Sam Griffiths (Paulank Brockagh) are also at Blenheim competing in the CIC3* and will perform their Dressage tests Friday.

Story: Michelle Cook/Equestrian Australia

Quick Links

• Follow all the action at www.blenheim-horse.co.uk/cci-3-competition
• Visit the Equestrian Australia website