Ellen Whitaker takes a five-star second place on the Longines Global Champions Tour in Doha in this week’s international round-up
Wednesday 05 March 2025
 Korlenski CSI5_Doha c. Global Champions Tour.jpeg "Ellen Whitaker takes a five-star second place on the Longines Global Champions Tour in Doha in this week’s international round-up")
Ellen Whitaker jumped Korlenski into second place in the 5* 1.60m speed competition on the Longines Global Champions Tour in Doha.
“Korlenski is the most exciting horse I have ever ridden in my life!” said Ellen.
A class field of 55 came forward over German course-designer Peter Schumacher’s 13-fence, 16-effort track, Ellen guiding Tilly Shaw’s 10-year-old Cornet Obolensky x Numero Uno mare into the runner-up position 1.23 seconds behind the winner, Germany’s Jana Wergers on Dorette OLD.
“The course was tough and challenging and at maximum height and width. I’m enormously proud of my amazing young horse and very thankful to owners Andrew and Tilly Shaw and family for their consistent and unconditional support,” said Ellen, who also praised her brother Donald and partner Nicola Pohl – “We bought Korlensky from Nicola and her family and I’m thankful for their trust and continued support following the wonderful sale of this exciting mare.”
An easy double clear in the seven-horse decider of the 5* 1.50m earned Scott Brash and Hello Mango fourth place more than four seconds off the pace.
Simon Buckley takes a MET Grand Prix second with Millfield Hickson
Simon Buckley claimed second in the feature world ranking 1.50m Grand Prix on the Spring Mediterranean Equestrian Tour (MET) in Spain, with the British-bred Millfield Hickson.
Ten of the original 36 starters returned initial clear rounds to make their way into the jump-off, but The Netherlands’ Marc Houtzager set a sizzling target from the opening draw on Sterrehof’s Dante which could not be beaten. Simon opted for an easier round on the young Hickstead White x Quinar nine-year-old – a 2024 Foxhunter and Talent Seeker finalist he has produced since British Novice days – going for a nice trip second time out to finish 3.51 seconds in arrears as one of only three double clears.
Lauren Caroline jumped to the top of the Gold 1.40m speed on the eight-year-old BE Cuick One (Cuick Star Kervec x Golden Hawk), beating their 51 rivals by almost two seconds.
Taisie de Gruchy led a British quintet in the Six-year-old 1.25m two-phase, edging Tuscon 45 (Toulon x Valentino) into victory by 0.01 seconds over Millie Dickson, in second and third on Ballyheerin Nay Boy and Millfield Digress. And Lee Williams claimed victory in the Five-year-old Final by half a second in a 16-horse jump-off on Leestone Emeresky (Emerald Van’t Ruytershof x Cornet Obolensky), the win also handing the pair the MET Young Horse Trophy by nine points.
Jodie Hall-McAteer lands a win on the Spanish Sunshine Tour
Jodie Hall-McAteer outpaced her 2* 1.45m rivals with long-term campaigner Kimosa Van Het Kritrahof on the Andalucia Sunshine Tour in Vejer de la Frontera Spain.
A big entry of 64 contended this world ranking speed class, Jodie swiftly and skilfully guiding the 15-year-old Chatman x Eros Platiere mare into the top spot with 1.35 seconds to spare. Chloe Winchester was also quick to slot Korlenski into third, just ahead of Ronnie Jones’ Key West in fourth.
James Wilson was on winning form, taking the 2* Catunambu Trophy with Quality Time of Picobello Z. Twenty-eight riders raced against the clock in this speed competition, but James and Heather Larson’s 11-year-old Querlybet Hero daughter had the upper hand all the way to win by 1.30 seconds.
James also headed the 50-strong 2* 1.40m speed, leading a British top three by 0.30 seconds on the eight-year-old Radjamerci Van De Vlasbloemhoeve (Dieu Merci Van T&L x Wandor Van De Mispelaere). Emma Crawford finished second with King Louie and Iwan Carpenter eased into third on the 15-year-old Merllyn’s Chacco B (Chacco Blue x Contendro I) – winner of a later 2* 1.35m by 1.16 seconds.
Will Fletcher slipped the nine-year-old mare Quintine Van D’Abdijhoeve into third in the 41-horse 2* 1.45m two-phase 1.67 seconds behind the pace.
Chloe Winchester triumphed in the 2* Small Grand Prix with Toblerone OS. Ten of the original 50 starters qualified for the jump-off over the 1.40m track, Chloe finding the shortest route on the eight-year-old Contendor x Flipper D’Elle stallion to win by 0.93 seconds.
Brits claimed several wins in the supporting classes: Emily Ward doubled up with Millfield Lottery, galloping ahead to win a 2* 1.30m speed with 0.92 seconds in hand over second-placed Adrian Whiteway’s A Special Diamond HST Z – winner of Sunday’s 2* 1.30m. Emily and the Plot Blue eight-year-old also led a British top three in a later 2* 1.35m speed, winning with half a second to spare over Jessica Hewlett (Ilmar HBC) and Miles O’Donnell (Jackpot D.S.) in second and third. Ben Walker doubled up with a 2* 1.20m win aboard the nine-year-old Kantini (Velini x Elanville) and a Five-year-old 1.10m two-phase riding Arya (Klaris Giddy Up x Je T’Aime Flamenco) while Ronnie Jones topped a Six-year-old 1.20m with SLH Fantastico (Fantaland x Landeur).
Charlie Jones is in the mix in the WEF four-star Grand Prix
Charlie Jones claimed a podium place in the $200,000 CSIO4* Grand Prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival [WEF] in Florida, USA, with Capitale 6.
The pair have been knocking on the door of late, taking second in the 5* 1.55m in Ocala two weeks earlier. Here at WEF, 42 competitors came forward in the Grand Prix over course-designer Steve Stephens’ track but only four found the key to make their way into the jump-off.
Charlie and the San Patrignano Cassini x For Pleasure 14-year-old made only one mistake second time out, their four faults dropping them down to third spot.
Blair Wilmer picked up second place in the 91-strong Bainbridge 1.40m single-phase on Arizona and topped and Seven-year-old by 0.66 seconds with Nightingale DMH while Amanda Derbyshire headed a 1.30m riding Don’t Touch Du Bois, beating 103 rivals to the top spot with 1.30 seconds to spare.
Image Credit: Global Champions Tour
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.jpg "The Brits are in five-star form in this week’s international round-up as Millie Allen takes another win")
