Jack Whitaker secures victory in the UNIBED – High Performance Equine Bedding Winter Grades B&C Qualifier with My Star at Arena UK’s Winter Classic
Friday 29 November 2024
Jack Whitaker popped along to his local Arena UK Winter Classic and duly claimed victory in the UNIBED – High Performance Equine Bedding Winter Grades B&C Qualifier with My Star.
Forty-two competitors faced course-designer Mark McGowan’s 11-fence 1.35m track of related distances and rollback lines but the clever, subtle questions asked reduced the number significantly, and only six came up with all the answers to access the jump-off.
Daniella Johnston set a competitive target with her 2024 HOYS Newcomers and Talent Seeker finalist Tina IV and remained ahead despite the early challenges.
Fourth out Jack changed that and, finding a slightly shorter route with Georgina Anstee Marriott’s My Star, edged ahead to win by 0.44 seconds to secure their qualification at the 2025 Royal International Horse Show.
The Big Star x Clearway eight-year-old mare joined Jack in May earlier this year.
“Georgina is fairly local to us and her daughter Xanthe came to us for a few lessons before Uni so I just kept her ticking over and she’s now on a gap year in Greece,” said Jack. “[My Star] is a lovely, sweet mare. This was her first class since HOYS and she doesn’t need a lot of work to get back into it, she knows the job and coped well jumping at HOYS in the international classes but is still a little green and just needs some more mileage on the clock.”
Daniella and the seven-year-old Tina IV (Whinnie Jackson x Valentin R) finished second to take the other Royal International pass on offer and register their intent to jump in the Hickstead final.
UNIBED – High Performance Equine Bedding Winter Grades B&C Qualifier
Arena UK Winter Classic – 28 December 2024
1st Jack Whitaker & My Star – 0/0 - 39.38 seconds
2nd Daniella Johnston & Tina IV – 0/0 - 39.82
3rd Harriette Rushton & Lufonia – 0/0 - 41.31
NB Results pending final grading
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