Oppenheimer tops leader board at Vidauban CDI3*

25-year-old, Alice Oppenheimer topped the leader board last week at Vidauban CDI3*, France (4 – 8 Mar 2015) in two classes.

Making their international debut as a combination, Alice and Georgina Pole Carew’s eight year old Sir Donnerhall-sired stallion, Tantoni Sir Soccrates, stormed the PSG class specifically for seven to nine year old horses, scoring an impressive 70.73% to take first place, also marking Alice’s first international win in Socs’ – as he’s known by his friends – third ever PSG.

Speaking through her Facebook, Alice commented: “Superstar Mr. Socs (Tantoni Sir Soccrates) just won the PSG for 7-9 year olds in Vidauban with 70.84!!! Thrilled doesn't even begin to cover it!!!”

Ecstatic from their win and taking their newly acquired confidence clearly into their next class, the inter I (also for seven to nine year olds), the pair dominated proceedings to take first place by almost 2% with 71.18% - remarkable considering it was Socs’ first attempt at the level.

Alice was also contesting in the big tour classes with her mother’s 12-year-old Dimaggio gelding, Headmore Delegate (pictured). Partners for over eight years, the pair contested in the grand prix to score 70.32% and claim second place. Despite a few costly mistakes in the grand prix special, Alice and Del – as he’s known at home – scored a solid 69.16% to take fourth.

Also competing at big tour was Dan Watson with two rides. Nicola Naylor’s ten year old gelding, Amadeus VI – out of Sandro Hit – had success with Dan. In only their second international competition together, the pair impressed scoring 67.52% in the intermediate II to claim fourth. The duo also notched up a personal best in the grand prix for eight to ten year old horses, their score of 65.34% put them into third place.

It was the first competition of 2015 for Dan’s second ride, Susie Farnon’s 15-year-old Fidermark gelding, Fideramber. Scoring a solid 68.98% in the grand prix, Dan and Fideramber – or Freddie as he’s known at home – placed fifth and went on to score a personal best in the grand prix special, their mark of 68.32% claimed fifth place.

Britain’s final combination at the French competition was Anna Ross and Renata Rabello Costa’s 12-year-old gelding, Lord of Rock. Contesting at middle tour, the pair scored 65.69% in the intermediate A to place fifth and 63.57% in the intermediate B, claiming sixth place.

Competition at Vidauban continues this week, with all three competitors performing in their respective classes.

For full results, click here.

Class 5: PSG for 7-9yo horses

1^st– Alice Oppenheimer with Tantoni Sir Soccrates, 70.73%

Class 7: Intermediate A

4^th– Anna Ross with Lord of Rock, 65.69%

Class 8: Intermediate II

4^th– Daniel Watson with Amadeus VI, 67.52%

Class 16: Grand prix

2^nd– Alice Oppenheimer with Headmore Delegate, 70.32%

5^th– Daniel Watson with Fideramber, 68.98%

Class 22: Intermediate I for 7-9yo horses

1^st– Alice Oppenheimer with Tantoni Sir Soccrates, 71.18%

Class 23: Intermediate B

6^th– Anna Ross with Lord of Rock, 63.57%

Class 25: Grand prix for 8-10yo horses

3^rd– Daniel Watson with Amadeus VI, 65.34%

Class 34: Grand prix special

4^th– Alice Oppenheimer with Headmore Delegate, 69.16%

5^th– Daniel Watson with Fideramber, 68.23%