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Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir have completed the cross country phase of the FEI World Eventing Championships with a clear round, just 3 seconds over the time, leaving them on a total score of 23.4. They are guaranteed a podium position over night going into the final day of show jumping tomorrow.
The duo set off in determined fashion and were glad to get the 'Slide' at fence 7 out of the way. Banzai leaned a little to the right between the two skinny arrow heads at elements B & C, but Yasmin kept her line and pushed him inside the red flag on the right.
"All the combinations I rode to my plan A, apart from the last water where he jumped quite steep in (a large log drop into water) he just didn't land quite as far out as i'd have liked, so we just picked up the five strides instead of the four .... he just grew in confidence all the way and was just looking for the flags"
"It was hard work, very intense, i think it was the terrain than anything, constantly up and down, I'm just so glad i am sat on Banzai, he felt like he was really at home in the hills"
Commenting about the time, Ingham said she was down on the first 3 at least but was able to make up the time on the single fences in the middle of the course, and "as we got down onto the flatter ground it was easier to keep in a rhythm, when your up and down the hills you have to prepare for the combinations but when your on the flat its a lot easier"
Going into the final day of her first Senior Championship event in at least bronze medal position Yasmin said "I could never have even dreamed of being in this position and I know the horse is more than capable, I think so much of him, he deserves it so much as he is such an incredible all round event horse."
For now, "It's about Banzai" said Ingham, "and touch wood, tomorrow he will show everyone that he really is the ultimate event horse".
