CCI4* Bramham 2026: Bobby Upton Takes the Lead After the Cross-Country, One Horse Dies of Heart Failure
Bobby Upton leads the CCI4*-L in Bramham; one horse suffers a heart attack
from Jan Tönjes 
File photo: Bobby Upton, seen here riding Clever Louis, leads the field at Bramham. Photo: sportfotos-lafrentz.de Bobby Upton remains in the lead after the cross-country at Bramham with It’s Cooley Time. The British rider finished nine seconds over the ideal time. She had already been in the lead after the dressage (24.2). She now heads into Sunday’s jumping as the overnight leader (27.8). Selina Milnes and Cooley Snapchat trail by one-tenth of a penalty point. They completed a clear round within the “optimum time” (27.9).
Fifty horses started the cross-country course, and half of them completed it without any faults at the obstacles. Four pairs managed to finish within the target time.
In third place is Caroline Powell of New Zealand with Greenacres Special Cavalier (29.0).
Team GB dominates at Bramham
Seven riders from Great Britain are among the top ten after the cross-country. Nine combinations were eliminated in the cross-country. Seven other riders withdrew. Three horses had been withdrawn after the dressage, so 32 horses are still expected to undergo the fitness test after the cross-country course before the final show jumping on Sunday morning.
A horse dies after suffering from cardiovascular problems
The CCI4*-L competition was overshadowed by the death of the gelding Charlie Foxtrott. The horse collapsed under David Doel after completing just over two-thirds of the course. According to a press release from the organizer, a “cardiovascular catastrophe” (i.e., a heart attack) led to the horse’s death. Veterinary staff were on the scene immediately but were unable to prevent the death of the 11-year-old.
Preliminary Results: CCI4*-L Bramham 2026
