Simon Buckley wins Drammen Grand Prix
Sunday 22 August 2021
It was an outstanding victory for Simon Buckley from Kendal, Cumbria this afternoon when he took the CSIO3* Grand Prix win in Drammen, Norway.
Riding the 12 year-old bay gelding Elia (Wizzerd WV x Heartbreaker), owned by Johanna Buckley, they claimed pole position from a field of forty-three starters when their jump-off clear in a time of 39.96 seconds proved unbeatable. Their closest rival came in the form of Wilma Hellstrom (SWE) who also jumped clear but in a slower time of 41.52 seconds to take second.
There were only four additional double clears across the entire competition, and with less than a second separating the 2nd to 5th placing it served to highlight the way that riders attacked the course. It was Hilary Scott (AUS) that took eventual 3rd having broken the finish line in 41.56 seconds.
Fellow British rider Jackson Reed Stephenson from Lower Dunsforth, Yorkshire also made it through to the jump off with his 11 year-old chestnut gelding Exception (Vagabond de la Pomme x Dirka). With all six that made it through posting a second round clear it was the clock that decided the final placings and Jackson’s time of 42.87 seconds saw them take the 6th spot. Fellow rider Mark Edwards from Cowbridge, South Glamorgan with the 11 year-ld bay gelding Montreuxs Tale owned by Martyn Edwards also made an appearance in the final line-up having posted a fast first round with 4 penalties to finish in 8th place.
Friday had seen the Brits finish in joint 7th place with Sweden in the CSIO3* Nations Cup competition where they competed under the title sponsor banner of Team NAF.
Full results https://online.equipe.com/en/class_sections/603740
 c. KT Equine Photography.jpg "Victory for Emily Ward and Wild Star HF in the Winter Grand Prix at Kelsall Hill Winter Classic")
