BRITISH JUMPERS DOMINATE ON DAY FOUR OF ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW
Saturday 11 May 2019
Day four of Royal Windsor Horse Show welcomed the international circuit's finest Showjumpers, with Friday's Manama Stakes' winner, Holly Smith making it a double in the Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes for the King's Cup.
Earlier in the day Robert Whitaker won the Martin Collins Enterprises Senior 1.45m Grand Prix, while fellow British rider, Guy Willams took top honours in the Falcon Stakes.
The day got underway with the two-round Martin Collins Enterprises Senior 1.45m Grand Prix, a national class held in the resplendent Castle Arena. After nine riders made it through to the second round it was Rose Moss and Carlos F, who set the early pace, going double clear in a time of 38.96 seconds. Next to go was Jay Halim, who also went double clear much to his delight, giving his grey stallion, Aragon Z 414149 a congratulatory pat on the neck. Robert Whitaker entered the Arena with Major Delacour to rapturous applause from the crowd, who encouraged the duo over every obstacle. Whitaker produced a fluid and fault-free round, which was enough to take top spot in 32.93 seconds, over one and a half seconds ahead of second-placed Lily Freeman Attwood.
With 13 of the world’s current top 20-ranked Show Jumpers competing in the day's showpiece class, the Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes for the King's Cup, the level of competition proved to be incredibly high from the outset. The testing 1.55m Bob Ellis-designed course demanded every bit of skill from the 31 horse and rider combinations that started, with just six eventually progressing to the jump-off, including three British riders, notably Harry Charles, Ben Maher and Holly Smith. Charles was first to go, and despite some early promise and tightly negotiated turns, he and Borsato put down the first of the swan-themed double. Friday’s Manama Stakes’ winner, Holly Smith laid down the gauntlet producing an exceptional ride, crossing the line in 34.02 seconds. With Jessica Springsteen (USA) and Gregory Wathelet (BEL) both accruing eight penalties, it was up to Ben Maher and Martin Fuchs to challenge Smith’s time. But it wasn’t to be after both riders were unable to match Holly Smith’s unassailable time. Later on in the afternoon the Leicestershire-based 30-year-old was all smiles when Her Majesty The Queen presented her with the King's Cup trophy.
The day's action culminated in the 1.50m Falcon Stakes, in which British riders again proved to be the dominant force. 10 riders, including three Brits progressed to the second round, with American Kent Farrington setting the early pace, going clear with his mare Kaprice. Canadian Tiffany Foster and Swedish world number two-ranked rider, Peder Fredricson both put in competitive performances with Foster knocking Farrington off top spot. However, there was a late charge from two experienced British riders; first from William Funnell and Billy McCain, and then, from last to go Guy Williams, who masterfully steered his stallion, Rouge de Ravel around the testing course, pipping Foster to top spot by 0.45 seconds.
Reflecting on his win, Williams said: "I won here last year, and it seems to be a great Show for me – I don’t know what it is about this Arena! I always love competing here, as the crowds are absolutely fantastic, and I hope they’re happy with another British winner."
Image: Her MagestyThe Queen, Holly Smith and The King of Bahrain
.jpg "Thrilling Weekend Kickstarts the STX-UK Pony British Novice Championship Second Round")
