Joe Stockdale claims his first HOYS win in the Grandstand Stoneleigh Events Cup with Ebanking
Saturday 07 October 2023
.jpg "Joe Stockdale claims his first HOYS win in the Grandstand Stoneleigh Events Cup with Ebanking")
The Brits claimed another international win as Joe Stockdale and Barbara Hester's eye-catching stallion Ebanking outpaced the rest to take the Grandstand Stoneleigh Events Cup on Saturday night at the Horse of the Year Show.
Thirty-two riders initially eyed up the prize to tackle the 3* 1.60m track with eight advancing to the second round. It promised to be a hot jump-off as the first three contenders posted clear rounds, but later riders chased the clock and made errors and Joe hung onto his lead.
Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca aboard F One USA provided the opening target with third out Joe using the tightest route, using the scopey 9-year-old Etoulon stallion Ebanking’s stride to edge ahead by only 0.26 seconds.
“I watched Lorenzo go and thought he was really quick, there wasn’t really an easy option to try and beat him. I knew I had to land and be tight but the fact that he jumped so good in the first round, I knew I could dare him a little in the jump-off and he didn’t feel like he’d have a fence down,” said Joe.
“I think I got the win in the last line. I had a perfect stride to the penultimate and took a chance to the last and he’s a quick horse anyway.”
The work undertaken with the talented stallion is paying off.
“He’s always been a horse we’ve been building on and for the last year, we’ve just gone steady, steady with him and now he’s proving it at 1.60m level. I couldn’t be happier, he performed unbelievably. His attitude couldn’t be better, he’s laser-focused in the ring and if he keeps improving like this, there’ll be no end to him,” added Joe.
Ireland’s Commandant Geoff Curran claimed outright victory with the big-jumping Bishops Quarter with the sole clear round in the fifth and final round in the Ripon Select Foods Puissance.
The 12-strong field was reduced to four for the final round with the big wall now standing at 2.20m (7ft 2in), Geoff and the 16-year-old Bishops Quarter clearing it with a flick of his heels. Three Brits shared second place, all taking a coping brick out of the wall – Joe Trunkfield on Cruze, Mark Edwards with Montreuxs Tale and Guy Williams aboard Mr Blue Sky UK.
HOYS, NEC, Birmingham – 7 October, 2023
Grandstand Stoneleigh Events Cup 3* 1.60m
1st Joe Stockdale (GBR) & Ebanking – 0/0 - 37.20 seconds
2nd Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) & F One USA – 0/0 - 37.46 seconds
3rd Commandant Geoff Curran (IRE) & Tempo Manor – 0/0 - 39.90 seconds
Ripon Select Foods Puissance
1st Commandant Geoff Curran (IRE) & Bishops Quarter – 0/0/0/0/0
2nd eq. Joe Trunkfield (GBR) & Cruze – 0/0/0/0/4
2nd eq. Mark Edwards (GBR) & Montreuxs Tale – 0/0/0/0/4
2nd eq. Guy Williams (GBR) & Mr Blue Sky UK – 0/0/0/0/4
Image: 1st Class Images
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