Two-star jumping at the Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show began in thrilling fashion on Thursday.
The 1.35metre two-phase competition saw the top three finishers separated by just four hundredths of a second.
Dorset rider Yazmin Davis led for most of the class after clocking a time of 30.34 seconds with Zanbowa Z, but Surrey challenger Steven Franks clipped 0.01 off her time as he steered Abdul Aziz to victory.
Top international eventer Chris Burton, a former Burghley winner and British Open champion, finished third on Limited Edition in 30.37 seconds.
A busy day of action in the Castle Arena meant an early start for riders in the two-star 1.30metre two-phase class, and it was Cheshire rider Corinne Collins who took the honours.
Competitors who jumped clear on the first part of the course went straight into a jump-off section, with Corinne’s time of 29.28 seconds on Dolores P edging Angel Tough and Callumbus into second spot, just 59 hundredths of a second behind, while Carmen Edwards and Happy Valerie finished third.
Bolesworth’s International Arena staged the Jones Homes CSI amateur bronze jump-off competition, with 12 combinations making it through to a race against the clock.
And there was an exciting finish, with last-to-go Joss Williams, from Lincolnshire, proving the quickest on 17-year-old gelding Zandokan Z in 30.31 seconds.
Their performance took more than a second off previous leader Jennifer Thimpson’s time aboard Britannicus, and the podium places were completed by American Caroline Ratigan, riding Gallicia.
The CSI amateur platinum one-round class, sponsored by John Deere by Turner Groundscare, went to seasoned campaigner Tony Pearson.
The Windsor rider claimed a commanding victory on Berlin, clocking 60.07 seconds, with Lauren Turnbull on Vip finishing second and Megan Li taking third on Eclips Van Erpekom.
