British Riders Continue Their Run of International Grand Prix Success
Tuesday 21 February 2023
Week five of the 2023 Vilamoura Atlantic Tour, Portugal, saw Great Britain’s James Smith continue his run of success, finishing second in the CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix on Sunday, 19 February 2023. He piloted John and Laura Renwick’s Arkuga, an 11 year-old bay gelding whom James started competing in October.
One of only two riders to break the 36 seconds barrier, James and Arkuga crossed the finish line in a time of 35.74 seconds, exactly 0.4 seconds behind the eventual winners. Victor Bettendorf (LUX) and Simolo de la Roque Z took top spot in a time of 35.34 seconds, while Rikke Anderson (DEN) and Chaccossini finished third in a time of 40.53.
Just across the border at the Andalucía Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain, the CSI4* 1.55m Dunas De Barbate Big Tour Grand Prix closed off the second week of competition. Great Britain’s Scott Brash finished third aboard Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham’s nine year old grey gelding Hello Valentino. They crossed the finish in a time of 41.42 seconds. Less than 1 second separated the top three combinations, with Kevin Jochems (NED) taking the top honours riding La Costa in a time of 40.91 seconds. Second place went to Michael G Duffy (IRE) and Clitschko 17 who finished in a time of 41.29.
In the Andalucía Sunshine Tour CSI4* 1.45m Small Tour Grand Prix, Great Britain’s Jane Annett place third with her own 12-year-old chestnut stallion, Billy Tudor, galloping over the finish in a time of 41.47 seconds. Manuel Fernandez Saro (ESP) and Jarlin de Torres finished on top of the podium in a time of 40.07 seconds, with Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Double Jeu d’Honvault finishing second in a time of 41.14 seconds.
Will Edwards, riding Carl Edwards’ SHW Cadies B, Jonathon Buxton, riding Paige Buxton’s Strides Josie, and Skye Higgin, riding Willy Matton’s Gotcha, also placed in the CSI4* Small Tour Grand Prix, finishing fourth, sixth and tenth respectively.
Image: Moura Tours
