Gio took Oplitas to do the CCI3* at Ballindenisk, to hopefully get the pair of them qualified for the Europeans.
“I was very happy with his dressage test as he can be quite tense and not the easiest on the flat. He did some good work in his test, but also there is much room for improvement! He scored 53 which left me lying in 4th place before XC.
“The XC was big and bold with a few technical questions, but Oplitas ate the course up and made the time very easily, which meant I didn’t have to push him and hopefully we would have something left in the tank for the show jumping.
“Before going into the show jumping we were lying second place, which was beyond all my expectations. Oplitas jumped a beautiful clear round and tried really hard for me. The leader then had two fences down and we had won the class!!
“I’m over the moon, especially for the owners Mary and Varenna, who have been very patient, kind and supportive through the years.”