Stark aims for repeat on Positive Rain

Equestrianism

Ian Stark is bidding to repeat last year's victory in the Bramham International Three-Day Event when he rides Positive Rain in this three-star contest which begins today.

The big grey gelding is owned by Jonquil Hemming, who offered Stark the ride after injuring herself in a fall at Punchestown in Ireland last month. She had previously ridden Positive Rain to victory in the national section of last year's Windsor Horse Trials.

Hemming delivered her horse to Stark's home in the Scottish Borders on 24 May and the following day he rode the grey to win at the nearby Floors Castle Horse Trials, near Kelso. What is more, the victory was achieved with just 19 penalties in the dressage and nothing to add in either the cross-country or show jumping.

Stark's opponents will include Karen Dixon (his team-mate at three Olympic Games) on Too Smart and Pippa Funnell (who is bidding for her first place on a senior British team) on Supreme Rock. Funnell is already long-listed with both Bits and Pieces and Designer Tramp for September's European Open Championships.