It was a thrilling climax to the Barbury International CIC*** which resulted in a win for the ever popular combination of Daisy Dick and Spring Along. Daisy and “Pod” have so often been the bridesmaids on the big occasions, but today their strong all-round performance won the title ahead of second placed Andrew Nicholson and his recent Bramham winner, Nereo.

Di Boddy yet again produced a fantastic show jumping track which ended the chances of some notable combinations including Oliver Townend and Pippa Funnell. Dressage leaders Elizabeth Power and Kilpatrick River lowered one pole which dropped them down the order but it was clear for Lucy Wiegersma, Matthew Wright, Piggy French, William Fox-Pitt and of course, Daisy.

Capt Mark Phillips’ cross country track required accurate riding, with riders having to cope with the testing terrain to be anywhere near the optimum time of 6:25. Going in reverse order of merit, the first competition highlight was Nicola Wilson and the nimble Opposition Buzz, who made the time - the first ever combination to do so in Barbury’s five year history.

Some 35 horses later, Irish youngster Sam Watson matched that feat with Horseware Bushman to take the lead on 54.2. Others tried to get near the time but just clocked up the time penalties until Andrew Nicholson and Nereo, lying seventh, sped round, again inside the time, to put added pressure on the final few riders.

Dressage leader Elizabeth Power had a stop at fence 22, while Daisy gave it her best shot to make the time with Spring Along – missing by just one second for 0.4 of a time penalty but this was good enough to give them the lead.

Time defeated William Fox-Pitt and Idalgo while Piggy French had the save of the day when she nearly parted company with Chase the Moon, losing vital seconds in the process. So, it was down to leader Lucy Weigersma and her relatively inexperienced Simon Porloe. Lucy coaxed a fantastic educational round from the horse but couldn’t match the speed of Daisy and Pod – veterans of European, World and Olympic British Teams – and the victory was theirs much to the delight of the Barbury crowd.

A beaming Daisy said; “I was happy with my dressage as I knew he can do a good test, I’m just glad he decided to do it here! I’m annoyed with my time penalty but I know exactly where I lost the time – just one too many pulls but he did feel like a rocket! He really deserves the win, it’s about time as we’ve been second so many times.”