50.6661°N -3.3244°WThe Bicton Arena International 5*, known for sponsorship reasons as the Chedington Bicton Park 5* Horse Trials was a CCI 5* eventing competition held as a one-off replacement for the Burghley Horse Trials in 2021, following the cancellation of both UK 5* events in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.[1] [2] [3] The event was won by Gemma Tattersall riding Chilli Knight.
The event was held at Bicton Arena, an established equestrian venue which already hosts a 4* competition, located on Clinton Devon Estates land at Bicton House, Devon, England.
The arena already hosts a CCI 4* event over very challenging undulating terrain, and the 5* course was designed by Captain Mark Phillips, a former Olympic gold medallist in eventing.[4] [5]
The cross-country course proved challenging with 12 riders retiring or being eliminated during the cross-country phase - over one third of all competitors.
Only two riders completed the cross-country phase clear inside the time allowed, with Oliver Townend also being inside the time, but with 11 jumping penalties.[6]
32 riders took part in the event, with 18 completing the event.
Countries represented were:
Great Britain – Gemma Tattersall, Pippa Funnell, Piggy March, Rosalind Canter, Richard P Jones, Oliver Townend, Felicity Collins, Francis Whittington, Angus Smales, Louisa Lockwood, Harry Mutch, Will Rawlin, Izzy Taylor, William Fox-Pitt, Simon Grieve, Georgie Spence, David Doel, Richard Skelt, Michael Owen
New Zealand – Tim Price, James Avery
Australia – Sammi Birch, Sam Griffiths
Canada – Michael Winter
Sweden – Malin Josefsson| 1 | Gemma Tattersall | Chilli Knight | 27.9 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 27.90 | |
| 2 | Pippa Funnell | Billy Walk On | 23.9 | 0.00 | 4.80 | 28.70 | Second ride |
| 3 | Piggy March | Vanir Kamira | 25.5 | 8.40 | 0.00 | 33.90 | |
| 4 | Rosalind Canter | Pencos Crown Jewel | 27.1 | 8.00 | 7.60 | 42.70 | |
| 5 | Pippa Funnell | Majas Hope | 27.4 | 4.00 | 15.20 | 46.60 | First ride |
| 6 | Richard Jones | Alfies Clover | 33 | 5.20 | 8.80 | 47.00 | |
| D = Dressage, SJ = Showjumping, XC = Cross Country |