BRITISH OPEN

British Open Show Jumping Championships 2007 

Opening Day at the British Open

Eric Van Der Vleuten from the Netherlands claimed the opening class at this year's British Open Show Jumping Championships riding Audi's Owendel. Eric finished 18 seconds in front of his closest competitor, 17 year old Abdel Said from Egypt riding Team Harmony Maureen, to take first place in the Birmingham City Shield. Great Britain 's Mark Armstrong from Surrey finished in third place on Rex.

The Second International class of the day, The Midland Masters, saw Leopold Van Asten from the Netherlands triumphantly jump a double clear on VDL Groep Kaid in a time of 36.60 seconds to take first place. Close on his heels was Britain 's leading lady Ellen Whitaker from Yorkshire who rode Kanselier clear in a time of 37.39 to finish second. Third place went to the local reining British Open Champion, Robert Smith from Warwickshire riding Vangelis S.

The British Open Indoor Cross Country certainly got the crowds going again this year as riders raced round the course of challenging jumps at top speed. Accuracy was key in this event as riders twisted and turned through the maze of show jumps and fixed fences being careful not to incur any time penalties by a knock-down or refusal. Belgium's Raf Kooremans took the lead in an extremely fast round on Izanetta in a time of 90.51 seconds, closely followed by Amy Young from Great Britain riding Highville who rode the course in a time of 91.24 seconds. Third place went to Britain 's Oliver Townend on ODT Mouse with a time of 93.75 seconds.

The first of the British Open Show Jumping Championships classes saw world number 5 Markus Fuchs take the lead riding Granie 5 in a time of 54.54. Leopold Van Asten just missed another win of the day by taking second place on VDL Groep Think Twice II in a time of 57.98. In her first appearance at the British Open Show Jumping Championships, Jessica Kurten took third place on Jipey Dark in a time of 58.24.

For the Championship leader board and full results see www.britishopenshowjumping.com

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