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The recent two-star Concours Complet International (CCI) Horse Trials at Nagykanizsa, Hungary saw two European based British Army riders dominate the competition.

The winner was Army officer Capt Paul Adams who recorded a back to back victory with his wife’s horse Algorithm, after winning Motesice International CCI** in June.

Paul is based at the Army Saddle Club in Sennelager, where he is trained by local international dressage judge Michael Setterbulte.

He has been competing in the sport of eventing since school but has really been making progress at international level in the last three years.

Eventing is the ultimate all round test of horse and rider, combining individual tests in dressage, cross country and show jumping.

Second place at Nagykanizsa was also taken by a Brit, but this time it was French-based rider Erica Watson on her own 11-year-old gelding Inca’s Rock.

Erica, who now lives and trains near Morzine, returned to international competition after a two-year break.

Nagykanizsa is the regions premier event and last year played host to the European Concours International Combiné (CIC) Eventing Championship.

This time Austrian course designer Karl Paar had set a tough cross country track with the final section being particularly technical.

The course and the hot conditions took their toll on the less experienced combinations with many competitors making mistakes.

The British riders both went very well, with Algorithm moving into the lead with the second fastest time of the day.

Paul said: “Algorithm is a German bred Holstein and he hasn’t always been the fastest at cross country but he is very good technically and is getting quicker as he matures.”

The final show jumping day again saw good performances from the British duo, retaining the top two places to dominate the competition.

The win has further strengthen the profile of the Army’s leading rider: “I’m extremely lucky to have the Army’s support and a great horse to ride.

“I’m very excited about the future with Algorithm, especially with the 2011 World Cup Series and London 2012 both looming on the horizon.”

The excellent wins in Motesice and Nagykanizsa plus a strong second place at Laintal International Horse Trials in Austria, have rocketed Paul into the top 130 on the FEI world rankings, his highest placing to date.

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The British Army entered the semi-finals of the Middlesex 7s to face the mighty Samurai International, a hard-nosed professional outfit with world class players drawn from ev­ery corner of the planet.

That the Army squad was beaten 29pts to nil was probably a little harsh but that is the reality of playing against the best selection money can buy.

Samurai management admitted that they had selected the cream of the IRB sevens circuit for this one off event.

They were coached by former England rugby league and union international Joe Lydon – it was tantamount to ‘Fantasy Rugby’.

For the Army it was largely uphill as possibly the best 7s team in the world hit the gas button but every man in a Reds shirt stood his ground, wonderfully marshalled by skipper Gerhard Wessels.

None more so than Apo Satala who at one time had four of the world’s best players dripping from his shoulders as he made progress down the left touchline.

Make no mistake, there are no sour grapes. Samurai was a well drilled class outfit and a pleasure to watch. They were there to do a job, they did it professionally and, having defeated London Irish 15pts to 12 in the final, they deserved to get their names on the cup.

That the British Army won the event in 2001 and 2004 was tremendous but the UK and the world have moved on.

National Sevens rugby is now a competitive and well rewarded game in its own right so the question on Saturday morning really was ‘How would the 2010 British Army squad stack up in the changed era?’.

The conclusion, even post Samurai, is ‘bang on target’.

In the opening game the Reds warmed up against a stronger than usual challenge from Gilbert Pups (27pts to 7) with Jack Prasad, Gus Qasevakatini, Malakai Magnus and Alosi Yamoyamo touching down.

Kenya, who have recently beaten the All Blacks, Fiji and England fielded strong, lean warriors built for rugby sevens with great ball skills and a nose for space.

They opened at pace and, for a protracted period, denied the Reds the ball.

Defence on the front foot was structured, combative and watertight and when hard tackling produced a turnover, Prasad ran in for a fine touchdown from the halfway line.

Qasevakatini (2), Magnus and Apo Satala topped up the score to seal a significant win, with 28pts to 5, against an international team that contained a host of specialist sevens players.

In context, and as a benchmark for the Reds, Wales was eliminated in Round one.

England and Kenya were beaten in Round two and for the Army to feature in the semis was a great achievement.

It is perfectly clear that we were on a par with the better teams fielded by Premiership clubs. The challenge for manager John Voss and coach Alfred Vakacokovanua will be to build on what is a revitalized squad and devise a cunning plan for 2011.

The general public enjoy watching the British Army play sevens but we all know that is not quite enough – we need more than just applause so watch this space.

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