Complementing senior British riders' podiums in the five-star class, the young Rising Lions trio impressed in the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event's Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S dressage: Elizabeth Barratt third on 29.7, Isabelle Cook debuting 36th on 39.3, and Finn Healy 25th on 35.8.
The Rising Lions programme gave these young British riders valuable overseas experience at the prestigious Kentucky Three-Day Event. Elizabeth Barratt, 20, rode her Barratt Eventing’s Ride For Thais Chaman Dumontceau – a grey gelding and former French team silver medallist at the 2024 Olympics under Stéphane Landois – to 29.7 for third. The horse excelled in trotwork amid a lively crowd, despite minor errors elsewhere. “I was absolutely thrilled. He was amazing. He loves a crowd and attention on him,” Barratt said. After consolidating at three-star level last year, the pair built a strong partnership over winter. Isabelle Cook, daughter of Olympic medallist Tina Cook, made her CCI4*-S debut on her mother and Jim Chromiak-owned Cymoon “F” Z, a 12-year-old chestnut, scoring 39.3 for 36th. The horse struggled mentally, committing an extra flying change on the final centreline. “Dressage is not his easiest phase and he does really struggle to keep a lid on everything,” Cook explained, while praising his cross-country potential and their lungeing preparation for relaxation. Finn Healy placed 25th on 35.8 with Greannanstown Monbeg Joe. Cook described the event as “such a cool place” and an “amazing opportunity.”
