The first class of the International Challenge saw a change in the program due to the huge entries at the show so this class became a two phase class and with 115 in it this is a good thing as we would otherwise be jumping till the wee hours of tomorrow morning and at 3.30pm we were not quite half way through this second class on the program.

The track saw all fences set to maximum height and width with no "soft" fences anywhere to be seen and it wasn't till combination number 10 that we had our first double clear and it came from Laura Louden on her own Uline and they clocked in at 30.33secs whic was a beatable time but one which was excellent considering the technicality of this track. The Course Designer is a big fan of twisting, turning tracks which leave no margin for error as the first of the Aussie's discovered, when Matt Williams opted for retirement when Orice had the first five fences down. Rebecca Crack finished with a very respectable 8 faults with Rex van Westland and Scottie Barclay and Moreside Mr Splendid left the arena with elimination after a nasty stop at the water saw Scottie slide straught over his head and onto the ground.

This class saw the introduction of the water tray and included a double along the spectator wall - the water certainly caused many of the horses to have a good look with some putting in sharp stops.

Laura Hutt came out as combination 44 in the draw with Margaret Hutt's Missippi B and set a standard which the riders found hard to beat jumping double clear in 23.64secs.

Celtic Gold and Scottie Barclay were both a little unsettled in this class and finished with 12 faults as did Andrew Long and Reflex Diamond Clover. Jamie Kermond and Moreside Enigma was the next of the Aussie's to go and he was looking for that elusive clear round in the first phase but unfortunately after an unscheduled stop at a big oxer the horse became unsettled but Jamie rode the mare well to get her over it at the second approach but unfortunately she put in another very sharp stop at the next oxer which was a long three strides and Jamie hit the ground finishing with elimination.

Rebecca Crack and Panama O Heck came in determined to fence one and continued well around the course but was concerned when coming into the oxer in front of the judges box and tried verbal encouragement but the horse stopped but was successful over the fence on the second approach but finished with 12 faults.

And after 78 combinations having come through the start flags Laura Hutt is still holding onto the lead with many eliminations and high scoring first phase scores which at this point would make Laura fairly confident of a top placing, if not indeed the leading spot in the first of the Accenture International Challenge classes.

Matt Williams and Zeliki Go Go finished with a score of 12 faults and they were followed by Andrew Long also from Australia on board High Stinger who took a dislike to the water fence but Andrew him well through it but the horse was then unsettled and they were eliminated after two stops.

And after 100 combinations with 15 to go Laura Hutt was still steadfastly holding her lead with Missippi B and loooking very secure - and with 15 to go it was already 5pm - where did they day go!

Scottie Barclay was determined to not "bite the dust" on his last ride for the this class, India Mia, and so when she stopped he stayed aboard and made it "quite clear" that stopping was not to happen again and this combination finished with just 8 faults for phase 1. Amy Johnstone and Miss Avoca had a very troubled round finishing with 24 faults and the Aussie's had one last hope with Jamie Kermond and Temple Navigator for a placing in this second class of the day but a placing was not to be but Kermo did finish the best of the Australian's with just four faults.

Coming in last to the class was Andrew Walker and It's Cinderella and they were the only combination who could now deny Laura Hutt the first win for the International Challenge but with two down in phase 1 this was not going to happen giving Missippi B the first win for the series making the opening score 1 to UK with the class finally finishing at 5.30pm and the announcement of the winner and placegetters was followed by the announcement that tomorrow's classes would begin at 9am due to the large number of entries - a good plan considering we still have three classes to go today!