Both Swallow Springs and Lukas performed really well in the CCI4*-L at Blenheim. Oliver was having just his second outing on Swallow Springs – Paul Ridgeon’s lovely grey was produced up to 5* level by Oliver’s great friend Andrew Nicholson, who has just stepped down from top level competition.
The pair did a smart dressage test to score 28.5, putting them in 9th place overnight. They then jumped clear inside the time across country but just touched a rail in the showjumping, picking up four penalties. This left them in 10th place at the end of the day – not bad for a first 3 day event together.
Lukas, owned by John Peace, is also a new ride for Oliver this summer – he was previously campaigned by Camilla Speirs. He scored 31.8 for his test and also jumped clear across country, coming home just four seconds over the optimum time. Eight penalties from the show jumping phase meant that the pair finished in 28th place – out of 90 starters.
Oliver & Swallow Springs © Hannah Cole