British Riders Soar to Success in this Week's International Round-Up
Monday 14 October 2024
Scott Brash takes second in the Longines Grand Prix in Beijing
Scott Brash jumped into second on a borrowed horse in the Longines Grand Prix at the Longines Beijing Masters in Bird’s Nest, China.
Thirty-one riders came forward over course-designer Frank Rothenberger’s 3* 12-fence 1.50m and only four mastered the track to access the jump-off. Just two jumped clear again, Scott riding the 12-year-old Zidup Van Beek Z (VDL Zirocco Blue x Captain Fire) into the runner-up spot, 2.29 seconds behind the winner, China’s Ruiji Liang on La Luna Hidalgo J&F.
James Smith lands a three-star win at the start of the Valencia Autumn Tour in Spain
James Smith scored a three-star victory in week one of the Moura Autumn Tour in Valencia, Spain, with his reliable winner Juno Rose 23.
Eighteen riders participated in the 3* 1.45m speed but no-one could match James’ speed and accurate eye for tight, daring lines and he secured the win by 0.84 seconds on the 10-year-old Erdento x Nissan Caretano Z mare. The pair also picked up second in Saturday’s 27-strong 3* world ranking 1.45m speed, 1.88 seconds behind Luxembourg’s Victor Bettendorf lightning-quick round aboard Big Star Des Forets.
James was also in the money with new ride Eagele Z, acquired three weeks ago from fellow Scot and former rider Sandy McLean. The new partnership jumped into third in Friday’s 3* 1.45m in a 12-horse decider. Victor Bettendorf was again the victor, this time on Doha De Riverland, with James 1.84 seconds in arrears.
James is quickly building a partnership with the Eldorado V Zeshoek x Ramiro Z 13-year-old and claimed a place in the feature 3* 1.50m Grand Prix. Only four of the 43 starters supplied a clean sheet to reach the jump-off, four faults denying James a win as the lowered rail dropped him to fourth spot.
“[This result] topped off a good week, hopefully we can keep up the form for the rest of the tour,” said James.
Sandy himself notched up a double of wins, heading the initial Seven and Eight-year-old 1.30/1.35m speed on the I’m Special De Muze seven-year-old Prestige, edging ahead by 0.08 seconds. Sandy’s second win came in an early 35-horse 1* 1.30m speed aboard Matt Pike’s Diamant De Semilly seven-year-old SES Jumeirah – also second in the seven-strong jump-off of the concluding 3* 1.40m almost two seconds off the pace.
Laura Renwick headed a 3* 1.40m two-phase, beating her 33 rivals by 0.36 seconds on the home-bred eight-year-old NFS Angelina (Arko III x Couleur Rubin). Another bred by John and Laura Renwick – NFS Belago (Mylord Carthago x Heartbreaker) – topped an early Six-year-old 1.20m with immediate jump-off for Ciara Miller with 2.31 seconds to spare.
Matt Sampson is a double winner in Spain
Matt Sampson notched up a victory double on week two of the Autumn MET tour in Spain.
Matt got the ball rolling in Thursday’s Gold 3* 1.45m with King Lepantino. Sixty-five competitors contended this speed class with Matt hitting top gear and motorbiking the tight lines to take the class by 1.43 seconds on the Arezzo VDL x Lord Z nine-year-old.
Matt was also in winning form with Lola Kann, the 10-year-old Kannan daughter flying home in the Silver 1.25m, outpacing their 66 rivals by almost two seconds,
Graham Babes steered Monks I Am Casall into third in Friday’s Gold 1.45m speed. A total of 92 tackled course-designer Raf Suarez’s 12-fence track with Graham and the I’m Special De Muze x Casall 10-year-old returning a good, competitive clear round for third, 0.86 seconds off the winning round set by The Netherlands’ Sanne Thijssen on Cupcake Z.
Simon Crippen clocked up a win and a second place with Zeus Valencie, the 13-year-old Marius Claudius x Zapateado mare winning Saturday’s 37-strong Gold 1.30m speed by an impressive clear three seconds and taking second 24 hours later in an 18-horse decider 1.19 seconds off the winning time.
Angie Thompson was also a Gold 1.30m winner, holding off the challenges from 77 rivals to win the two-phase class by 1.65 seconds on her sister Deborah Gilder’s 10-year-old Kassanova De La Pomme daughter Kokonut Van De Nethe Z.
