Leg 3 Concours Complet D'Arville Day 1 Round Up

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Holding the top spot but with very little room for error, France’s Tom Carlile and his grey Stallion Upsilon delivered yet another outstanding test when all eyes were firmly on them. The Event Rider Masters dressage record holders have not been seen much at competition in the past 12 months, but this test would suggest they are back.
 
The 1stmorning of Leg 3 in Arville produced one of the most stunning tests of the day when Australia’s Chris Burton and the 13 year old Gelding PolyStar I posted a 23.6, taking over 10 marks off their Leg 2 Wiesbaden score. With only one combination bettering the pair’s score they lie in second place over night.
 
Setting herself up for yet another amazing top level result and going into tomorrow’s jumping phases in joint third, New Zealand’s Jonelle Price and Cloud Dancer delivered their best International test since Boekelo in 2015.   
 
Back to back 4* winner Jonelle is sharing third spot on 24.7 with World Number 1 Oliver Townend and ERM specialist Cillnabradden Evo who, according to Oliver “is getting more and more reliable and his way of going is becoming more established every time.”
 
The most consistent trend we have seen in the Event Rider Masters so far is; that to take the top spot on the final day, a clear round in the Show Jumping is needed. With the two top rated show jumpers, Upsilon and Cillnabradden Evo, in the leading three overnight, riders will be jumping tomorrow knowing that they need to keep the pressure on.

The fastest Cross Country round we have seen in the previous five CIC3* competitions here at Arville, was 12 seconds over the optimum time and just 50% of the past competitors have jumped clear. With the calibre of the ERM field,  will that still be the case tomorrow?

Tune in to find out - www.eventridermasters.tv