Bicton Arena International 5*
The Bicton Arena International 5*, known for sponsorship reasons as the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials was a CCI 5* eventing competition held as a one-off replacement for the Burghley Horse Trials in 2021, following the cancellation of both UK 5* events in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event was won by Gemma Tattersall riding Chilli Knight.
Location and design
The event was held at Bicton Arena, an established equestrian venue which already hosts a 4* competition, located on Clinton Devon Estates land at Bicton House, Devon, England.
The arena already hosts a CCI 4* event over very challenging undulating terrain, and the 5* course was designed by Captain Mark Phillips, a former Olympic gold medallist in eventing.
The cross-country course proved challenging with 12 riders retiring or being eliminated during the cross-country phase - over one third of all competitors.
Only two riders completed the cross-country phase clear inside the time allowed, with Oliver Townend also being inside the time, but with 11 jumping penalties.
Participation
32 riders took part in the event, with 18 completing the event.
Countries represented were:
Great Britain – Gemma Tattersall, Pippa Funnell, Piggy March, Rosalind Canter, Richard P Jones, Oliver Townend, Felicity Collins, Francis Whittington, Angus Smales, Louisa Lockwood, Harry Mutch, Will Rawlin, Izzy Taylor, William Fox-Pitt, Simon Grieve, Georgie Spence, David Doel, Richard Skelt, Michael Owen
Ireland – Padraig McCarthy, Joseph Murphy, Sarah Dowley
New Zealand – Tim Price, James Avery
Australia – Sammi Birch, Sam Griffiths
Canada – Michael Winter
Sweden – Malin Josefsson
Results
The results were:
| Position | Rider | Horse | D | SJ | XC | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Gemma Tattersall
|
Chilli Knight | 27.9 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 27.90 | |
| 2 | Pippa Funnell
|
Billy Walk On | 23.9 | 0.00 | 4.80 | 28.70 | Second ride |
| 3 | Piggy March
|
Vanir Kamira | 25.5 | 8.40 | 0.00 | 33.90 | |
| 4 | Rosalind Canter
|
Pencos Crown Jewel | 27.1 | 8.00 | 7.60 | 42.70 | |
| 5 | Pippa Funnell
|
Majas Hope | 27.4 | 4.00 | 15.20 | 46.60 | First ride |
| 6 | Richard Jones
|
Alfies Clover | 33 | 5.20 | 8.80 | 47.00 | |
| D = Dressage, SJ = Showjumping, XC = Cross Country | |||||||
References
- ^ Jones, Eleanot (2 July 2021). "Replacement British five-star event to run over Burghley weekend". Horse and Hound.
- ^ "Britain's sole 5* horse trials shaping up to be a "historic event"". Horsetalk. 6 July 2021.
- ^ "Watch the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials on Demand". Horse and Country. 25 August 2021.
- ^ Berendt, Tilly (18 August 2021). "'There's More Terrain Than Any 5* in the World': Take a Tour of Bicton's One-Off Track with Captain Mark Phillips". Eventing Nation.
- ^ "Cross country course notes from course designer Captain Mark Phillips". Bicton Arena. 16 August 2021.
- ^ "Review of the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Cross Country". 2TheBarn. 4 September 2021.
- ^ "Bicton Five Star". Eventing Scores.
- ^ "Bicton Arena International 5*". British Eventing.