LOUISE Harwood gained great momentum for Badminton this year by taking three titles at the Gatcombe Park Land Rover Horse Trials last weekend.

In excellent weather and large crowd of spectators, Harwood from Eardisley in Herefordshire, saw off all the opposition to win the Advanced Intermediate class at the Land Rover Gatcombe Horse Trials, held by kind permission of HRH The Princess Royal at Gatcombe Park.

Louise also won the Open Intermediate Section L on Jenga and Novice section D on Bechfa Medrod and now head to the Badminton Horse Trials in May.

Cherington based Zara Tindall had a busy weekend riding five horses including her London2012 Olympic Team Silver Medal winner High Kingdom who finished eighth in the Advanced Intermediate class. They are currently on the waitlist for Badminton.

Zara was second in Intermediate Novice section G with BGS Class Affair and was beaten by just 0.3 of a penalty in Novice section B with Rum Expectations. They were pipped to the post by Danielle Dunn from Cricklade riding Polar Fox.

Twenty-four year old Danni will be competing at Badminton for the first time this year with Zocarla BLH and was recently selected by the Horse Trials Support Group to be one of their 2017 Scholars.

Taking third place in this section was Ireland’s Jonty Evans from Shipton Oliffe with John The Bull.

Beanie Sturgis and Lebowski who are also Badminton bound, won Open Intermediate section K. Beanie organises Dauntsey Park Horse Trials which take place at her Great Somerford home in July and September. New Zealand riders took second, third and fourth in this class.

Dan Jocelyn with Dassett Cool Touch were second, Tim Price took third and fourth with Xavier Faer and Bango. Dassett Cool Touch and Bango are also heading to Badminton.

Gatcombe regular Harry Meade from West Littleton rode seven horses over the two days. All finished in the top 20 including a win in Novice section A with Red Kite. Close on Harry’s heels in this class was Sara Squires from Newnham with Ramexicos Man. Sara and her stallion Sula Blue were 5th in the Advanced Intermediate class.

It was a successful weekend for Michael Jackson from Northleach, second in Open Intermediate section L with Leighland Pearl, third in Novice section D with Ballyheights, fifth in Open Novice section F with PSH Blue Tango and fifth in Open Intermediate section K with Hilldown Prophet.

International riders took the top three places in Novice section C. Andrew Nicholson winning with As Is and fellow New Zealander Dan Jocelyn who is based in Oaksey, second on Fjury. Tiana Coudray from the USA was third on Cancaras Girl.