Brilliant Brash has his eye on the prize in Omaha
Thursday 06 April 2023
.jpg "Brilliant Brash has his eye on the prize in Omaha")
Super-cool Scott Brash’s brilliance was on display as he skilfully guided Hello Jefferson into second place in the first round of the Longines FEI World Cup Final at the CHI Health Centre in Omaha, USA.
The pair led the way until the final moments, with Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann, riding the incredible King Edward, taking full advantage of his final draw to sensationally snatch victory from long-time leader Scott by just 0.14 seconds. Scott is just two points behind the World Number 1 on the leader board. A disappointing one fence down for fellow Brit Harry Charles dropped Ann Thompson’s Balou Du Reventon down from a possible fifth to 17th. But they will come out fighting in round two.
Forty of the world’s top riders from 19 nations battled it out over Portuguese course-designer Bernardo Costa Cabral’s 13-fence, 16 jumping-efforts 1.60m Table C speed and handiness track. Two notable inside turn options were available plus a long gallop to the final vertical but the bogey proved to be two doubles at the latter end of the course. The vertical to oxer at ten with a slight right-hand four-stride approach to the oxer to a vertical with a top plank at eleven caught out several combinations: Switzerland’s defending champion Martin Fuchs on Leone Jei one of the famous victims. With three seconds added for each knockdown and the fences demanding respect, riders needed to be on top of their game.
Last year’s runner-up, The Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders set an early target on Monaco NOP but was soon overtaken by Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer and Vancouver De Lanlore. Scott had other ideas and found another gear with Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham’s athletic 14-year-old Hello Jefferson (Cooper Van De Heffinck x Irco Mena) to race into the lead from 13th draw. The pair stayed comfortably at the top despite several challenges.
“I’m very happy with Jefferson, I thought he jumped fantastic,” said Scott. “He’s amazing, he’s capable of winning anything. I’ve always believed in him and it’s just about things going right on the day and so far, so good!
“He’s a quick horse but he gets tense, so I try to do the round that’s comfortable for him. I was very happy with the first half and then just at the end he got a little bit keen…he lost his relaxation a bit, but he jumped the last good and hopefully we can keep him settled for tomorrow.”
Henrik von Eckermann powered King Edward into one of their breath-taking, trademark rounds in the final draw. Setting off like they were on fire, the Swedish pair always looked threatening, and despite a good rattle at the double at ten they broke the beam a fraction ahead of Scott.
Henrik admitted his last-to-go draw definitely helped: “It was an advantage to watch a little bit to see how much risk, do you really need to take without getting too crazy. I got my plan done - Scott’s horse is completely different so I just did my plan that suited my horse. Like to the triple bar (fence 6) I could do one less, he did nine I did eight, so I knew there I have a bit of time, and on the other ones I kept the pace going and we did nine (strides) to the last when many did ten. These small things meant that I was in front.”
Scott nevertheless was happy with his round and his now focusing on Thursday’s jump-off competition (19.15 – 22.00 CDT / Friday, 7 April 01.15 – 04.00 BST) and keeping Jefferson happy, settled and focused, too. They will jump in the penultimate draw of the 40 riders. Harry and Balou Du Reventon are 24th in the order of go.
There is still a long way to go and plenty of opportunity to move up the leader board. The last time the Final was held in Omaha, The USA’s McLain Ward lay in 11th place on day one and went on to take the title. It is all to play for….
You can watch all three rounds of the final live on FEI.TV - you’ll need a subscription to tune in. Some highlights will also be available on the FEI YouTube channel. All the information about the FEI Jumping World Cup Final, including a list of participants can be found here.
Image: FEI / Richard Julliart
.JPG "Sophia Rogers makes a winning return and Rachel Proudley claims a championship double at Pony of the Year Show")
