Bicton Arena International Horse Trials provided an outstanding three days of competition with world-class competitors among more than 800 horse and rider combinations who were in action on the Clinton Devon Estate, writes Lucy Johnson.

Organiser Helen West said: “It was like a who’s who of eventing and it was an absolute joy to watch these top class riders competing. We had several combinations that will be in action at Badminton next week too.

“It was a very busy three days but it went very well, the going was perfect and everyone was so happy and complimentary. It was a fabulous team effort.”

Laura Collett, who won seven gold medals during her youth career, headed the Rathbones CIC2* riding London 52, who kept his place at the top of the leader board following the dressage phase with a stunning double clear.

“He was pure class,” said Laura of the nine-year-old, adding that Helen West and her team had done an amazing job with fantastic cross country courses and perfect going.”

The Chatham-sponsored CIC1* was won by Kitty King riding the six-year-old Cristal Fontaine, who finished two points ahead of Bella Lloyd Webber on LVS Movistar. “That was his first ever one star. He’s only six and relatively young to be doing a one star, but he’s a grown-up type of horse and he’s confident in himself and his ability. He did a lovely test and coped with the arena well and then jumped two lovely rounds,” said Kitty.

Kitty also headed the advanced intermediate riding the nine-year-old Vendredi Biats, who put a below par performance at Belton the previous week behind him. “He came out a bit fresh and not concentrating so he didn’t go terribly well there. I’d entered Bicton too as a back up so he had a real confidence-boosting run and went very well. It was great that he was back to his normal self and he found it all very straightforward. Hopefully this will set him up now for Withington advanced this weekend,” said Kitty who added that the ground had ridden perfectly.

Less than a point behind in second was Pippa Funnell riding her Badminton partner, the British bred 14-year-old Billy Beware, who led after the dressage but dropped to second with time penalties after the cross-country. Arctic Soul and Gemma Tattersall, also Badminton-bound were third. Pippa also won the open intermediate with Sandman Seven.

Sasha Hargreaves was the convincing winner of the open intermediate under 21 section on the 15-year-old Playtime, who added to his Aldon win in March.

Tom Jackson headed an intermediate section on Capels Hollow Drift, finishing a point ahead of Mary King on King Bill with third spot going to Tregolls and Izzy Taylor who also scored an intermediate win with Grafenelle.

The eight-year-old mare was one of eight rides for Izzy, who finished third and fourth on Kilderrys Cougar Girl and Impromptu II respectively in the open intermediate.

Helen said: “It was a great three days that was really busy with spectators too. We definitely feel ready now to step Bicton up to the next level in terms of the level of competition we host here.”