TOP riders Lucinda Fredericks and Paul Tapner lead the local challenge at the Subaru Houghton Hall International three- day event which started today.

Both will compete in the CIC*** (three star one day event) where Fredericks has entered Nysa De Petra, who won the Ligniere two star title in France last autumn, and Mr Miller 2.

2010 Badminton winner Tapner, who is based at Highworth, rides Wickstead Didgerdoo and Stormhill Michael, who has gone well at four star level in the past.

The CCI** is the top three day event and the county has a strong entry in this, including another former Badminton winner, Swindon’s Rodney Powell, on Conair; rising young star Georgie Spence on Velosity III, fellow young riders Danielle Dunn and Tom McEwen on What a Catch II and Private Rudolf, Marlborough based Italian Alberto Giugni, who has two entries, and Devizes-based Coral Keen on Aphrodisiac. Entries in the CCI*, the first rung of the three day ladder, include Minety’s Miranda Filmer, USA rider Julian Stiller, Roo Fox and Coral Keen, this time with two rides.

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