Equestrianism: Boon jumps to victory on Foreign Exchange

Terry Boon retained his overnight lead to win the senior section of the Bramham International Horse Trials on Foreign Exchange, defeating Parkmore Ed and last year's winning rider, William Fox-Pitt, by a narrow 1.8pt margin. Marie Ryan (whose Australian husband Matt is a triple Olympic gold medallist), filled the next two places with Sparrow Hall and Penny Royal III.

On Friday, Boon had doubted whether he would go across country the following day because the ground was so firm. But thanks to the improvements brought by course designer, Sue Benson, and her hard-working team, he decided to continue. He was then lying in second place, a whisker behind Fox-Pitt's other mount Moon Man, whose retirement after a cross-country refusal enabled Boon to move into the lead.

Though he had no room for a single error, Boon had reason to be confident as he went in for yesterday's final show jumping. Foreign Exchange jumped clear for him when he won the only other two events that he has contested this year, and he was faultless again yesterday.

Though disappointed by Moon Man's lapse, Fox-Pitt had every reason to be delighted by the splendid all-round performance of Parkmore Ed, who incurred no more penalties after the completion of dressage.

Both of Marie Ryan's mounts performed well after being pulled out of Badminton "to regroup". It was not such a satisfactory outcome for her husband, Matt, whose Bonza Puzzle had to be withdrawn on account of a corn. Ryan will now be aiming for Olympic qualification in Poland in two week's time.

BRAMHAM INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS (near Wetherby, Yorks): Final results of senior three-day event: 1 Foreign Exchange (T Boon) 47.6 penalties; 2 Parkmore Ed (W Fox-Pitt) 49.4; 3 Sparrow Hall (M Ryan) 52.8; 4 Penny Royal III (M Ryan) 57.8; 5 Kinsey Control (C Pratt) 67.2; 6 Karl d'Cymbeline (L Kemplay) 68.2. Elite Colleges Under-25 Championship: 1 Which Way II (P French) 53.4; 2 Volnay (C Clague Reading) 54.8; 3 Done to Order (P French) 63.2.