Brits storm Vidauban at CDI3*

25-year-old Alice Oppenheimer made it four out of four with Georgina Carew’s Tantoni Sir Soccrates (pictured) as she stormed to victory twice more in the second week of the Vidauban CDI3* (12 – 15 Mar 2015).

Having topped the tables twice in the first week (click here for the happenings on Vidauban’s first week of competition). Alice and Georgina’s eight year old British-bred stallion continued their fantastic run of form, scoring 72.76% (despite an overhead helicopter and prize giving taking place during their test) to storm into first place, over three per cent above second placed Germany representative, Ursula Wagner and Dilenzio (69.73%). The up-and-coming stars signed off a fantastic two weeks with a final win in the inter I with another post-70% test (70.57%), not too bad for their second ever inter I.

Alice’s second ride of the competition, her mother’s 12-year-old British-bred gelding, Headmore Delegate contested in the grand prix. Although some tension led to a few costly mistakes, the pair placed seventh with a solid 66.38, qualifying through to the special where they made a return to form to gain 68.80%, placing fourth.

Ecstatic about her French trip, Alice took to her Facebook: Had an amazing last day to finish off an incredible 2 weeks in Vidauban. Socs (Tantoni Sir Soccrates) won the Inter I with another +70%, despite being really tired from his efforts over the last fortnight to make it 4 out of 4! Unfortunately he had to miss his prize giving as Del (Headmore Delegate) had his GP special. I was pleased as the test was much better than yesterday and, although there were still a couple of mistakes, we finished on 68.8 to end up 4th! A good couple of weeks work!”

Fellow Brit, Anna Ross was also competing in the grand prix alongside Alice. Riding Jane Sewell’s 14-year-old De Niro mare, Die Callas, in their first international together, the new combination impressed with their score of 65.62% to place tenth. 12-year-old Florentine gelding, Lord of Rock, owned by Renata Rabello Costa, gave Anna her second ride of the competition at middle tour. Having settled into the French way of life, the pair improved their scores from the previous week with 65.91% in the inter A and a personal best of 68.57% in the inter B, grabbing second place in both classes.

After a pleasing week at big tour with Susie Farnon’s 15-year-old Dutch-bred gelding, Fideramber, Dan Watson gave his partner a well-deserved rest and shifted his focus to up-and-coming seven year old Sandro Hit gelding, Amadeus IV – owned by Nicola Naylor. Scoring a personal best at inter II, the pair scored 68.36% for second, missing out on first by less than 0.5% - which was taken by French combination, Charlotte Chalvignac and Zilverster (68.85). The pair also went on to score 61.76% in the grand prix for 8 – 10 year olds.

For full results, click here.

Photo courtesy of Alice Oppenheimer’s Facebook page.

Results

Class 3: PSG

1^st– Alice Oppenheimer with Tantoni Sir Soccrates (GBR), 72.76%

Class 5: Intermediate A

2^nd– Anna Ross with Lord of Rock (GBR), 65.91%

Class 6: Intermediate II

2^nd– Daniel Watson with Amadeus VI (GBR), 68.36%

Class 7: Grand prix (qualifier for special)

7^th– Alice Oppenheimer with Headmore Delegate (GBR), 66.38%

10^th– Anna Ross with Die Callas (GBR), 65.62%

Class 13: Intermediate I

1^st– Alice Oppenheimer with Tantoni Sir Soccrates (GBR), 70.57%

Class 16: Grand prix special

4^th– Alice Oppenheimer with Headmore Delegate (GBR), 68.80%

Class 25: Intermediate B

2^nd– Anna Ross with Lord of Rock (GBR), 68.57%

Class 26: Grand prix (for 8 – 10yo horses)

3^rd– Daniel Watson with Amadeus VI (GBR), 61.76%