Chatsworth 2018, HTSG Scholar, Laura Collett

Last weekend our second training Scholar for 2018 Laura Collett headed to Chatsworth International Horse Trials to compete on three horses in the CIC3* - Dacapo, London 52 and top horse Mr Bass.

Laura and Mr Bass were competing in the first leg of the Event Rider Masters series.

Photo © Fiona Scott-Maxwell

Laura and Mr Bass scored a personal best in the dressage and were leaders after the first phase on a score of 25.3. Laura was quick to directly thank the Horse Trials Support Group for the additional training her scholarship funding has allowed her to secure.

On Sunday Laura headed into the show jumping as overnight leader and last to go, but unfortunately had four faults with one fence down.  The show jumping proved tricky with only nine of the 39 competitors jumping clear and within the time.

Photo © Fiona Scott-Maxwell

Heading into cross country everything was still to play for as at Chatsworth the time is incredibly influential. Laura and Mr Bass jumped a lovely clear round with just 6.4 time penalties to finish an excellent fourth place.

Photos © Fiona Scott-Maxwell

Although Laura was a little disappointed to have four faults in the show jumping, the key thing about this run is that it was a really good preparation run for the 4* event at Luhmuhlen in just over four weeks time.