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MARS Badminton Horse Trials 2024

It was a pleasing weekend for Zara and Class Affair (Socks) at the MARS Badminton Horse Trials.

82 horses started the prestigious event in Gloucestershire, with the dressage phase spanning two days, across Thursday and Friday.

Zara and Socks were drawn 15th to go on Thursday. Overall it was a good test, finishing on a score of 37.2.

Maintaining the drawn position of 15th, Zara and Socks set off around the cross country phase on Saturday morning, jumping a faultless round, albeit with some time penalties. The clear round in this phase helped to move them up into 19th position, ahead of the showjumping on Sunday.

Socks jumped a great round in front of a packed grandstand, for an unfortunate rail, heading into the double at fence 9, ending the competition on a final score of 59.6 and finishing in 16th place.

You can watch all of Zara and Class Affair's three phases in the video below.



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Les Etoiles de Pau 5*
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Class Affair (Socks) made his way to the very south of France this week, to compete in the Pau 5*.

After a good trip down, Socks arrived in great form, ahead of Friday's dressage test.

The test went well and Socks was very rideable. He coped well with the atmosphere in the arena, finishing the test on a score of 35.6.

He then went on to jump clear around the cross country on Saturday, although picking up some time faults.

Socks jumped really well on Sunday in the showjumping phase, and despite sadly having 2 fences down, we are very pleased with him.

Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials 2024
Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials 2024

Judith Luff and Zara’s Classicals Euro Star (Casper) made an impressive start to Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials this weekend. Casper has only made a handful of 4* starts and he performed a fantastic dressage test for a score of 30.4. He then powered round the cross country course for just 3.2 time faults and into 7th place on the leader board. Sadly he ended up with a sore foot after cross country, so the team made the decision to withdraw him from the showjumping phase on Sunday. Casper is at home and he is doing well. Although it was an unfortunate end to Blenheim, he was a superstar all week and we are really pleased with his performance at this level.

Defender Burghley Horse Trials
Defender Burghley Horse Trials

After a good start in the dressage, unfortunately Socks and Zara had an early departure from Burghley after a fall on cross country day.

It was strong run up until the pair parted company at fence 16b.

As you can see from the video in the gallery below, it was a rapid exit from the saddle and our huge thanks go to a vital sponsor Racesafe, for their super body protection which has allowed us to walk away as easily as we have done.

Socks is fine and out in the field having a nice break, thanks to the wider Defender Burghley team and groom Ellen.

We are looking forward to getting back out at the next event.

Photo Credits - Angie Lock

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