WIZARD WEAVES MAGIC AT THE EQUESTRIAN.COM LIVERPOOL INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW

Rosalie Biedron underlined a true continental feel at this year's Equestrian.com Liverpool International Horse Show when she claimed an impressive victory on day three at the Echo Arena.

Rosalie weaved some jump-off magic on VDL Wizard, clocking 28.95 seconds to edge out her fellow American Adrienne Dixon, riding Killossery Kaiden, with young British prospect Oliver Fletcher finishing third on Little Business in the amateur B two-phase competition, sponsored by Andrews Bowen.
 
Sixteen-year-old Rosalie is from New Jersey, but currently based in Ireland with Greg Broderick, who was his country's sole showjumping representative at the Rio Olympics five months ago.
 
And her work with Greg is already reaping dividends, as she delivered a superbly-timed round to take top spot.
 
"It is a real honour to be here competing at what is my first international show," she said.
 
"The jump-off went well, but you know that every second counts as the time between myself, second and third was very tight.
 
"I feel really lucky to have Wizard. I train with Greg, and he has an extraordinary eye for connecting a horse and a rider, and he was right. The horse is young, and he has quite a bit to learn, but he has the brain of a saint and looks after me.
 
"I moved to Ireland last September, and the programme I have in place with Greg is outstanding. It is great to be training with him."
 
Jess Hewitt, meanwhile, continued her imperious victory march at the Echo Arena on Monday, by winning a third class of the show.
 
After two victories and a third place on Sunday, the Yorkshire-based rider guided 19-year-old Rusty home in the amateur A jump-off class, sponsored by Horse and Hound.
 
Even though Jess added a stride heading towards the final fence, a time of 36.05 seconds proved too quick for the rest, despite a strong double challenge from Ireland's Aisling Byrne.
 
Aisling finished second on Wellview Classic Dream and third aboard Celeste Spb Z, but ultimately it was Jess who took a familiar place as class winner.
 
"He is just an amazing horse," she said.
 
"We had it all to do, but he is naturally a really quick horse and the jump-off really suited him, but I thought somone was going to be quicker because I added a stride going to the last.
 
"The plan was to go six strides to the last, but I went seven, so it didn't really go to plan! But the horse has been brilliant, and it has been a fantastic show for us.
 
"He is really nice to ride. He is totally different at home to what he is in the ring. He's really lazy at home!
 
"But as soon as we get him in the arena, he knows. He is like a different horse. I knew he was good before I got him, but I didn't realise how good."