Gemma Tattersall wins her first five-star at Bicton Park Horse Trials

Gemma Tattersall and Chilli Knight © FEI/Libby Law Photography

As Gemma Tattersall scored her first five-star win, stand-in event Bicton Park Horse Trials proved it’d be one for the record books

After two years of Badminton and Burghley cancellations, stand-in CCI5* fixture Chedington Bicton Park Horse Trials (2–5 September) certainly didn’t disappoint. From being the first event of its kind to be designed purely as a one-off, to playing host to the first all-female podium at a UK 5* in 18 years, it’ll be one to remember for many years to come. And for Gemma Tattersall, who stood top of the leader board for her first five-star win on a homebred horse she’s known since day one, there’ll be lots of reasons to look back fondly the day.

The week commenced for Gemma and Chilli Knight with a dressage score of 27.9, which was enough to just tuck them into the top 10. While we know that five-stars are rarely dressage competitions, for Gemma and ‘Alfie’, that was their finishing score as they added nothing to their total over the course of the cross-country and showjumping phases – the only combination to finish on their dressage score over the weekend.

The jumping phases proved influential. The Captain Mark Phillips-designed cross-country asked plenty of questions – with only 19 of the 31 combinations completing – and Bicton’s naturally undulating terrain tested horse and rider fitness plans and preparation to the max. Meanwhile, only five riders produced a clear round over the showjumps.

Piggy March led after the cross-country on 25.5, but a couple of poles and a time fault for Vanir Kamira saw the pair dropped to third, while Pippa Funnell and Billy Walk On pulled off a clear round inside the time to finish on 28.70 for second place. While placings were tight at the top, with less than a pole to play with between the top three, they were nearly nine points clear of closest competitors Ros Canter and Pencos Crown Jewel.

Speaking in a press conference afterwards, Gemma was almost lost for words – after her 24^th run at five-star level allowed her to finally seize a win: “I can’t believe it. It seems to have taken me a long time. It’s been a long road, and a lot of hard work and I can’t believe I’m sitting here between these two total legends – Pippa’s been my idol forever and Piggy’s the most incredible rider in the world!”

Alfie was bred and is owned by Chris Stone, owner of the Tattleton Stud at which Gemma’s based, so the result was super-special for everyone involved who’ve watched the gelding progress through the years. “The expression on his face hasn’t changed from day one,” Gemma said. “He always just pricked his ears and said ‘hello’ and ‘where are we going now?’ He’s just a little yes man and he’s just unbelievably special!”

The 11-year-old had been on flying form leading up to Bicton, too. His season’s highlights – aside from the CCI5* win – include third in Burnham Market’s CCI4*-S, seventh in Bicton’s CCI4*-L and third in Hartpury’s CCI4*-S.

“Finally, I’ve managed to get us a five-star win!”

There’s a huge army of support behind Gemma, and she was quick to cite those around her for making the success happen. “My family from when I was a tiny girl all the way through and my team at home work endlessly hard. My absolute nutter boyfriend, Gary – and just everyone,” Gemma began. “It’s not just me and Alfie. It’s everyone behind the scenes that makes it happen. And Charlotte [Overton], my head girl has just done the most incredible job looking after Alfie this week. We all know what it takes to get a horse to five-star. It’s quite a headache!”

There was one support team member who wasn’t quite finished yet, though. When, during the post-prizegiving press conference, compere Nicole Brown opened up to the audience for questions, Gemma’s boyfriend Gary stepped in with a very important one – a proposal – and her positive response formed the perfect ending for one of eventing’s most magical weekends.