Jack Whitaker – 3rd in Vilamoura 3* Grand Prix
Sunday 06 February 2022
20 year-old Jack Whitaker from Whatton, Northants took 3rd in the FEI 3* Atlantic Tour Grand Prix earlier this afternoon in Vilamoura Portugal riding the 13 year-old grey gelding Valmy de la Lande owned by his father Michael.
The jump-off was a particularly strong one with twelve of the original forty combinations jumping a first round clear and coming forward to contest the second and final round. With nine of them producing another penalty free round it certainly put pressure on the field to open their horses up and take on the questions asked of them in as forward a pace as possible.
It was Mel Thijssen (NED) with Cartolana 2 that took the win stopping the clock in 40.63 seconds, just 8/100th of a second faster than Victor Bettendorf (LUX) and Astuce de la Roque. It was Jack that secured the next place in the line up when he posted another foot-perfect clear to cross the finish line in 42.99 seconds ahead of Jerome Hurel (FRA) and Byon du Telman that had to be content with their 4th place finish just ahead of fellow French rider Kevin Staut.
British rider Jackson Reed Stephenson took 7th with Cool Cash with their time of 44.90 seconds, just behind Toni Haussmann (GER).
Full results
 c. Majestic Photography.jpg "James Smith Dominates in the Penultimate Winter Grand Prix at Aintree Winter Classic Show")