last updated on July 15, 2010 16:41

International big tour rider, Judy Harvey, from Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire topped the grand prix and finished second in the grand prix special on a personal best of 69.25% at Vierzon CDI, France, 10 – 11 July 2010. The win was Harvey’s first international grand prix victory with Richard Heley’s 12 year old bay gelding Fitzcerraldo, a horse she has partnered for the last five years.

The list one judge and trainer was thrilled with their performance commenting; “I’m so pleased with Fitzceraldo, we’ve waited for this a long time. To be first in the GP and get a PB in the special is wonderful, and considering the conditions I’m very pleased with his and with my own fitness!”

“In the GP I knew we had to go mistake free to win, but the conditions were less than perfect – 35 degrees and humid. Fitzceraldo handled the wet really well from the start, giving me more confidence and allowing me to focus on not making any mistakes. In the special he was also fantastic, but we were up against some stiff German competition.”

Fresh from her win at Pompadour CDI the previous week, fellow Brit Amy Stovold improved on her fifth place in the grand prix to slot into third in the special on 67.70% with her 17hh chestnut gelding Macbrian.

Both Judy Harvey with Fitzceraldo and Amy Stovold with Macbrian will next compete at Hickstead CDI 29 July – 1 August.