Yasmin Ingham (GBR) reminded everyone why she’s the reigning World Champion at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, UK.
The 26-year-old took the lead after dressage in the CCI4*-L with a career best score of 20.5 aboard Banzai Du Loir and is the overwhelming Equiratings’ favorite with a 24% win chance.
“Big career moment yesterday to score our dressage PB here at [Blenheim Horse Trials],” wrote Ingham on Instagram, “so happy that Banzai was rewarded with the score he absolutely deserved after a stunning performance for 20.5 to lead the CCI4*L after the dressage. Lots to jump tomorrow on the XC, looking forward to the challenge.”
Ingham and the 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding won the CCI4*-L at Blenheim in 2021, when they finished on their dressage score of 25.2.
She’s in good company on the leaderboard this year. World number one Ros Canter, hot off a CCI4*-S at Blair last month with the ten-year-old gelding Izilot DHI, sits just a penalty behind in second place on 21.6. Gemma Stevens and Jalapeno III are currently in third on 25.6 to round out the all British, all-female top three heading into Saturday’s cross country.
“We have been a little bit unfortunate with the drying sun for the last couple of days, but we’ve been Verti-draining and watering. We’ve had Mark Lucey here who comes and does some testing for us on the ground. The footing is good, good to firm in a few places, so we will keep working on it overnight,” commented course designer, David Evans.