Young British rider Tom Woodward and his horse, Low Moor Lucky, are leading the under-25 national championship after the first day of dressage at the Defender Bramham Horse Trials, scoring 28.1 and placing second overall in the CCI4*-S class. Tom, who opted not to participate in the arena familiarization, expressed confidence in his horse’s abilities, noting that Lucky is experienced and knows what to do in the ring.
Tom recently gained attention for his performance at the Badminton Horse Trials, where he finished sixth in dressage but faced challenges during the cross-country phase. Reflecting on that experience, he acknowledged the emotional ups and downs and emphasized the learning curve it provided. With Lucky now fit after Badminton, they decided to compete in the under-25 championship at Bramham.
In the CCI4*-S class, French rider Sebastien Cavaillon leads with a score of 26.9 on Elipso De La Vigne. He highlighted the logistical challenges of traveling to the UK post-Brexit but remains optimistic about the competition. Other competitors, like Alex Hua Tian with Chicko, are also looking to improve after their experiences at Badminton, with Alex expressing a desire to return next year for another shot at the event.
