James Whitaker secures victory in the British Horse Feeds Speedi-Beet Grade C Championship with Just Call Me Henry at Horse of the Year Show
Sunday 08 October 2023
.jpg "James Whitaker secures victory in the British Horse Feeds Speedi-Beet Grade C Championship with Just Call Me Henry at Horse of the Year Show")
Twenty-four hours earlier, William Whitaker won the Accumulator on a horse borrowed from his brother James. On the final day of Horse of the Year Show, James stepped into the limelight to command victory in the British Horse Feeds Speedi-Beet Grade C Championship with Just Call Me Henry.
“I was lucky as he had a spin round [this arena] in the Foxhunter Final on Thursday to finish fifth, but he was unlucky [with the fastest four faults in the first round],” said James. “He’s a bit of an over-achiever and won a four-star class at Hickstead in the summer.”
A field of 22 came forward over the 1.40m course and, with several hard luck four fault stories amongst them, only five returned clear rounds to go forward into the jump-off. James proved economical all the way to take a handsome 1.81 second win on the British-bred 8-year-old by his uncle John Whitaker’s former top ride Argento, out of a Kannan mare and bred by Murray McLeish and Steve Fag.
“He’s naturally fast, if you looked at the time of my first round, he’ll be one of the quickest, so I knew if I kept the jumps up, he wouldn’t be far away,” said James. “I don’t want to jinx anything, but he finds it all effortless and wins at almost every show he goes to. I need to keep him and hope someone doesn’t come along and wants to buy him.”
Aintree Winter Classic this coming week is now on the schedule.
“This Grade C Final was my plan, now I’ve got to make a new one!”
Alex Barr slotted the 11-year-old Talkabout Me into second and Jonathan Dixon claimed third with Jack JL.
HOYS, NEC, Birmingham – Sunday, 8 October 2023
British Horse Feeds Speedi-Beet Grade C Final
1st James Whitaker & Just Call Me Henry – 0/0 34.03 seconds
2nd Alex Barr & Talkabout Me – 0/0 35.84 seconds
3rd Jonathan Dixon & Jack JL – 0/0 36.11 seconds
Image: 1st Class Images
British Horse Feeds Speedi-Beet:
Long term sponsor British Horse Feeds is the equine feed division of the family business, I’Anson Holdings, animal feed manufacturers based in Masham, North Yorkshire. British Horse Feeds is best known for its flagship product Speedi-Beet which, thanks to the unique patented process has revolutionized the feeding of beet pulp. Speedi-Beet has improved nutrient availability and soaks in just 10 minutes, compared to 24 hours for sugar beet pellets. It’s a great way to add quality fibre to your horse’s diet for slow release energy. Fibre-Beet, a formulated blend containing Speedi-Beet and alfalfa has the benefits of Speedi-Beet with extra conditioning.
For more information and expert advice from our nutritional team contact British Horse Feeds on 01765 680300 or visit our website on www.britishhorsefeeds.com
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