Arena UK Major Showjumping Championships
Sunday 26 September 2021
Robert Whitaker lifted his fourth Arena UK Major Grand Prix title with an inspired jump-off round on the talented Vermento that left the audience gasping.
Course-designer Mark McGowan set a stiff test with technical lines in a 13-fence 1.45m track for the thirty-nine competitors and, although there were some hard-luck stories, just four supplied first round clears.
They were joined by Mark Edwards carrying four faults from round one on Montreuxs Tale under A9 rules, but although he set the fastest jump-off time by more than five seconds, another rail on the floor put paid to their chances.
Only two jump-off clears materialized and the time was the tightest of all. The audience visibly drew breath as Robert and the eight-year-old stallion Vermento took a tight inside route to the penultimate vertical and galloped to the final fence to set the standard. It was down to final-drawn Irishman Paul Kennedy to challenge on Cartown Danger Mouse and he gave it his all but crossed the line just 0.01 sec in arrears to take second.
“He jumped this class for experience and it was great for him, his first round was amazing and I did what I could in the jump-off,” said Robert, on the Argento 8-year-old stallion Vermento out of Vicky Van De Grundeval – a former International winner for Robert.
“My dad [John] bred him and suggested him when I was looking for a good horse and my owners Caroline and Steven Blatchford bought him for me,” said Robert.
Robert secured the top two places in the Star of the Future Championship with two 8-year-olds, Faye Potter’s Ilaney (Castell Caretino x Ol Mette) and Caroline Blatchford’s I’m Special Too DHH (Burggraaf x Indoctro), 1.17 seconds between them in the nine-horse jump-off.
“Ilaney’s easy and gives 100%, I’m just keeping her ticking over as Faye has had an operation on her knee,” said Robert, who was pleased with second ride I’m Special Too. “He hasn’t had a lot of experience but he’s one for the future.”
Harriette Rushton has returned to winning form just 10 weeks after giving birth to baby James, they landed the Foxhunter championship by 1.58 seconds on I Am Legend Z in a nine-strong jump-off.
“She’s fantastic with endless scope and stride,” said Gainsborough, Lincolnshire based Harriette, who bought the 8-year-old mare in Holland 15 months ago after she had bred two foals.
Joe Trunkfield won the two-way decider to determine the Trevor Burrows 1.30m champion on Su and Gordon Hall’s Grennanstown Sarco Luxhill. First drawn Madison Heath returned four faults on Bouncer II and, when Joe also hit a fence, he speeded up to win by more than four seconds.
“He’s more than 17hh but he’s like a pony – cheeky and clever. He knows he’s good and he loves to play as much as jump, it’s all a game,” said Joe, who got the ride on the Irish-bred 11-year-old gelding six weeks ago.
Graham Babes deservedly claimed the 6 and 7-year-old championship in a hot 11-horse jump-off with the 7-year-old Monks I Am Casall with a 0.40 seconds advantage.
Graham bought the I’m Special De Muze x Casall gelding as a yearling.
“We loved him so much we bought his mother last year, she now has a Tangelo foal at foot,” said Graham. “[Monks] is star quality and he’s got better and better this year.”
Jake Saywell landed the BDA 5-year-old title with a smooth, decisive round on Lente III in the 13-horse jump-off with 0.59 seconds in hand.
“She’s got a big future, she hasn’t done a lot of shows but the two weeks at Hickstead earlier this month has been the making of her,” said Jake on the Grandorado TN x Tygo mare.
Max Swanne claimed the 4-year-old style and performance by an impressive 20 points riding Jake’s Diacontinus x For Edition gelding Uptons Magic.
“He’s balanced, bold but careful, has presence and a flashy jump,” said Max.
Charlie Dawson secured the 1.20m Championship by 1.87 seconds on the Swiss-bred 11-year-old Landgee CH in an 11-horse jump-off.
“He stumbled halfway round the course and I jumped the next fence with no reins but he’s very chilled and getting used to going fast now,” she said.
Alena Hughes commandeered the under 25 title with the sole double clear in the 12-horse jump-off on the Carrico 12-year-old mare Curly 76.
“It was our first indoor show so I took it easy in the first round but it didn’t seem to affect her, she’s lovely,” said Alena, 15, who is based with Michael Whitaker.
Tom Dovkants found all the shortcuts on the Harlequin Du Carel 9-year-old Penhills Ginger Biscuit to take the Newcomers Championship by 0.66 seconds.
“He came as a sales livery just a month ago and he’s a lovely horse, quick, careful and can turn so well,” said Leicestershire-based Tom.
Rosie Gunn edged ahead by just 0.05 sec to take the Jade Wilson Ayres 1.10m Championship on the Arezzo VDL x C Indoctro II 10-year-old Jagerbomb in a 55-strong two-phase.
“I work in Denmark s a show groom for Andreas Schou so my sister Steph has ridden him all summer and will jump at HOYS in the NAF Silver League Final but I pinched him back for this show – he loves to win,” said Rosie, who intends to attend HOYS before returning to Denmark.
Steph Gunn claimed two wins. She lifted the Discovery title with 1.44 sec in hand on the five-year-old mare Quianti E and topped the 1.15m on the 11-year-old Carthino daughter Falestra V with 0.20 seconds to spare.
Adrian Speight on Millfield Baloney and Alfie Bradstock riding H D Or set a new Arena UK Puissance record as they both cleared the big wall at 2.10m to share the £1,600 first prize.
Charlotte Arnold and the nine-year-old Plot Blue daughter Leestone Blue Voltet were the sole partnership to clear 1.90m to take the Dodson & Horrell six-bar.
Harry Bateman topped the 1.25m grand prix on the 11-year-old mare Alabalou with a 0.73 sec advantage in the seven-horse jump-off.
Evie Newman’s late round on the Ustinov 12-year-old mare Esprit Dometa in the 29-horse 1.05m grand prix secured the top spot by 0.22 seconds.
Olivia Fox triumphed in the 95cm grand prix with Inisbri Crème De La Crème, the Irish-bred 7-year-old heading the 55-strong two-phase by 0.30 seconds.
Fenella Webster landed the British novice grand prix on the 6-year-old mare Belgarrow Quality by more than three seconds.
Sophie Corney added another grand prix title to the 23-year-old mare Lapaloma’s tally by an amazing 4.30 seconds in the 90cm.
Claire Birtwistle claimed a three second victory in the 1m grand prix on the Heartbreaker 14-year-old Art Candy.
Olivia Sponer claimed the 148cm grand prix by more than two seconds with a daringly inside turn to the double on the 13-year-old Intention EE Z in a five-pony jump-off.
“She’s an older pony as she bred foals when she was younger and is still fairly new to this level. It was the first time I’d asked questions against the clock at this height,” said Olivia.
Tilly Bamford secured the 138cm grand prix with 1.21 seconds in hand on the 14-year-old mare Dizzy Rascal as one of only two double clears, holding on to the win despite Katie Bradburne’s final challenge on second-placed Dolly du Carel.
Liala Ramaci clinched the 128cm grand prix with the sole double clear in the five-pony decider on the Irish-bred 10-year-old mare Lambay Off Broadway, underscoring her win with the fastest time by almost three seconds.
