AS THE eventing season draws to a close many are looking to sign off with a win before the horses go on their holidays.

Paul Tapner was able to do just that with Indian Mill at the South England, winning his two-star section comfortably by almost 10 penalties, having jumped clear round both the cross country and showjumping. His dressage had put them right up there from the start, and they finished the job professionally.

Boston JRP didn’t have his best day in the one-star, racking up 20 penalties in the showjumping phase. Tapner reported the horse lost his confidence slightly after taking a dislike to one of the fences, but found his feet again for a clear cross country round.

In the Open Novice Tapner gained placings with Bonza King of Rogues and Bonza Rusty May who finished fourth and seventh respectively, whilst It’s Complicated II took eighth in the Novice. All three of these jumped double clears.

Kitty King continued her comeback with a second place in the one-star.

She partnered Caeleste to a double clear, with a dressage of 41.4 – much more befitting of her talents than the previous week’s effort at Gatcombe of 59, where the horse had become upset by the cross country taking place around her.

Andrew Nicholson had five entries at South of England, and did particularly well at Intermediate with fourth and eighth in one section, as well as fourth in another.

Teseo and Mr Cruise Control both had runs at Open Intermediate to come 25th and 14th in what was a very competitive section; Dorset’s William Fox-Pitt led the way from the dressage with three horses producing enviable sub-20 dressage tests, and he finished in first and second spots overall. Mark Todd withdrew Ravenstar before the cross country phase in that class, but completed on Leonidas with a steady double clear for 28th.

Todd’s other rides all achieved top ten placings; he picked up the ride on Beaucatcher following Dan Jocelyn’s recent fall which put him out of action.

A strong dressage was good enough to earn them fourth in the Novice despite having a couple of poles showjumping, whilst NZB Ocean and Up N Go both completed double clear for fifth and 10th at Open Novice and Intermediate.

Husband and wife team Jonelle Richards and Tim Price had some successful runs, in particular dominating Intermediate section L.

The former won with Look Now, as well as taking third in the same section with Cloud Dancer II. Both jumped faultlessly but a few time penalties were the difference. Price separated the two by finishing in second place with Bango.

Fellow Kiwi Andrew Nicholson followed closely behind with Jet Set IV, who picked up four showjumping faults.

Meanwhile in Waragem, Laura Collett took part in her first major competition since returning to eventing following her fall which left her in hospital. She represented Team GB at Waragem in Belgium for the FEI Nations Cup, and did herself proud coming ninth with Allora 3, helping the team to victory.