Gray's day turns to gold

Two riders notch up first-time intermediate wins in the wind and the rain

- ELLIE HUGHES

Richmond (1), North Yorkshire

ROBYN GRAY and Vicki Irlam’s diminutive “jumping machine” Harrison IV scored a first win at intermediate, adding just a couple of time-penalties to a dressage score of 29.6.

Their double clear came as a relief for Robyn, a full-time eventer, after a blip on the cross-country in the CCI3*-S at Kelsall two weeks previously had left them walking off the course.

“Harry tripped on landing over the first part of a combination and had no choice but to run past the second element. He’s a worrier who doesn’t like making mistakes and he got quite upset, so I decided to call it a day,” explained Robyn. “It was lovely to feel him jump out of the start box here, like he felt he had a point to prove.”

Despite Harry’s lack of size – he stands at just 15.2hh – a step up to advanced is on the cards for the Numero Uno gelding.

“He’s a fabulous jumper and you can pretty much guarantee a clear showjumping round with him,” continued Robyn. “He was trained as a showjumper in the beginning, so he lands and travels, making the distances easily.”

“He’s a fabulous jumper” - ROBYN GRAY ON HARRISON IV

Lucy Sugden and I Am Quality TN set the standard in the under-21 open intermediate, adding just 1.6 time-penalties to their dressage score of 25.9.