last updated on May 14, 2009 10:25

The British senior team kicked off the first outdoor show of the season in style yesterday finishing in 2nd place on a score of 4787. They were just pipped by Germany who claimed top honours with a team score of 4848 while the Netherlands trailed in 3rd position.

Best of the Brits Carl Hester rode the 16.2hh bay gelding Liebling II into 4th place individually on a score of 69.31% - less than one percent behind the eventual winner Germany’s Alexander Rath Matthias and Sterntaler-Unicef (70.25%). Meanwhile both Step Croxford, Mr President and Jane Gregory, Lucky Star put in solid performances to finish 8th and 9th respectively on scores of 67.31% and 67.06%. Richard Barrett trail blazed for the team early on but unfortunately fell foul of the unsettled weather conditions to record a disappointing 24th place.

Team Captain Richard Davison commented: “I’m delighted with the team’s result; it’s a very promising start to this year’s campaign for the European Championships. All members rode well although Richard Barrett had bad luck with the weather during his test.”

Their result came despite the absence of the in form Laura Bechtolsheimer and Emma Hindle; the latter had intended to compete but a team decision was made to withdraw Lancet from the competition after he suffered an injury during training on Monday. Following a full recovery the pair compete this afternoon (Friday) in the CDI big tour.

The top 30 riders now go forward to compete in the GP Special on 2 May, from there the top 15 will contest the GP Kur.

>> For full results click here http://www.cadrenoir.fr/documents/11_grandprix.pdf