Stars come out for Little Downham eventing

THE jumps were finely tuned and the stables immaculately turned out as Little Downham played host to the latest leg of the UK eventing season at the weekend.

Hundreds of the region’s top eventers made the trip to the Ely Eventing Centre on Downham Common to take part in the action-packed two-day event.

Displays in show-jumping, dressage and cross country were the focus of the weekend’s competition with dozens of categories on show from BE90 through to intermediate.

There were also some national qualifier events held, including those for the British Intermediate Championship and KBIS Open and BE Young Horse Championship qualifier.

Ely youngster Tess Watterson impressed with a third place finish in the BE90 category aboard her horse Churchside Marble.

The big winners on the day were Sarah Bullimore on Lilly Corrine who beat olympic medalist Bettina Hoy in the Intermediate Section F event and international eventer Piggy French who beat Australian olympic medalist Matt Ryan in the Intermediate Section G event.

Event organiser, Tina Ure, said: “The event went very well, our entry list was absolutely full and we exceeded all expectations given that is has been a difficult year for eventing.

“It is one of the few sports that is totally inclusive, men compete against women and youngsters against adults.”

The UK eventing season began in West Yorkshire in early June and will continue on through until late October.

The show rolls into Little Downham again later in the season, with riders due to take part in competition again in early October.