Gemma Tattersall and Quicklook
An Eventful Life filmed all competitors on cross country at Chatsworth International 2017 - find out more here
Gemma Tattersall scored 10 out of 10 at the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials, winning the first leg of the Event Rider Masters Series and, in so doing, became the first lady rider to win an Event Rider Masters title and the large cheque for £16,000 to go with it
Gemma was in second place after the dressage, when she was the only rider to score a 10, and a clear show jumping round moved her into the top position when the overnight leader Tom Carlile on his impressive grey stallion Upsilon had faults in this phase.
Tom did produce one of the only three double clear cross country rides of the day for third place along with Brazil’s Marcio C Jorge on Coronel MCJ (ninth place) and Ireland’s Elizabeth Power riding Soladoun (seventh place). This made Elizabeth the first lady rider to finish the challenging cross country course under time in the history of the event; France’s Astier Nicolas and Australia’s Chris Burton were previously the only two to make the time on this hilly course
Thomas Carlile and Upsilon - very nearly made it another French win at Chatsworth
Sarah Cohen on Treason, Nicola Wilson on Bulana and Bettina Hoy on Designer 10 all came close to emulating Elizabeth’s feat but picked up 0.8, 2.4 and 1.2 penalties respectively for sixth, fourth and second places (listen to our interview with Bettina, also the CIC3* Section C winner on Seigneur Medicott)
Each of their rides was impressive but Sarah Cohen showed just what a mum can do. Sarah, who was selected for the British team at the Athens Olympics but did not compete due to a last minute injury to her horse, now only has Treason competing while she raises her young children. Sarah and Treason eased into the season with a 2* win at Burnham Market and once again showed their class here.
Nicola’s Bulana looked absolutely full of running as they set off but they were held on course when Ireland’s Mark Kyle had a flying dismount from his mare Jemilla at Fence 14, landing on his feet and breaking his right ankle in a few places
Australia's Shane Rose and Virgil finished in 15th place
However it was Gemma Tattersall, the last rider on course as per the reverse order format of the ERM, provided a thrilling finale, coming in with 3.2 time penalties and finishing on a score of 36.9.
“I tried to be really relaxed and ride her in a very relaxed sort of way. We were super quick to and from every single fence and every jump came up in a good stride so we didn’t waste any time anywhere”
“We had a tough time in Rio but she has come back better than ever. It was a personal best in the dressage, a super clear show jumping and an awesome ride on cross country. I am chuffed to bits with her”
