CSI 2* Charles Stanley British Masters International - Round Up
Monday 03 July 2017
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James Smith lifted the Charles Stanley British Masters Grand Prix title with the scopey Balibu in a high-octane jump-off that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
“He’s been placed consistently recently, including a grand prix in France, he was really due a win,” said James on the impressive Balibu.
Course Designer Mark McGowan delivered a strong but fair thirteen fence track with poles falling fairly evenly across the board, although when the last fence fell marring otherwise penalty-free rounds, the crowd emitting plenty of oohs and ahhs, thoroughly enjoying their participation in this top-billed class.
Nine of the fifty-three starters posted first round clears with seventh drawn James finding all the answers.
“It’s the first time I’ve really asked him questions against the clock as he can be sharp, but he helped me out. I was deep to an early vertical and then stood way off an oxer, but he had enough scope to cope and he’s naturally fast,” said James.
The Baloubet Du Rouet sired 12-year-old joined James six months ago.
“I started riding some youngsters for Graham Gillespie and he came along six months later,” said James.
Louise Saywell made a supreme effort on Billy Twomey’s eight-year-old Pewit Nono and slotted into second by 0.58 seconds and Lance Whitehouse rode Vik II into third.
British-based Irishman Billy Twomey filled the top spot of the initial 1.45m which carried valuable world ranking points. In typically smooth ‘Billy’ style, he eased Kim Barzilay’s home-bred eight-year-old Kimba Flamenco (Je T’Aime Flamenco x Heartbreaker) into the win with a 0.57 second advantage. Annabel Shields took second with Wet Wet Wet.
Annabel had no intention of settling for second again, and urged the Irish nine-year-old Carnoneybridge Challenger into victory in day two’s 1.45m with 0.46 seconds to hand in the eleven strong jump-off over Lee Williams and Salvador – a Balou Du Rouet eight-year-old bred by his sister Sarah.
Louise Saywell denied Billy another win in day one’s 1.40m, riding Graham Ward’s Chicago Z 12-year-old Feigtling into victory in the eleven horse decider by 0.66 seconds, pushing Billy and the Irish-bred stallion Ardcolum Duke into second. Young rider Robert Murphy, aged 16, gave a good performance for third on Chablis.
Paul Barker claimed a magnificent hat-trick over the weekend. He doubled up on day two with accumulator and 1.30m wins and headed the Small Grand Prix on the final day.
The Kannan 10-year-old Happy Boy was a double winner for Paul, coming to the fore in the medium tour accumulator, flying through the finish to take victory by half a second over Lily Freeman-Attwood and Topspin.
And the on-form Happy Boy left the best until last, taking the small grand prix by a full second over Annabel Shields on Rubin VHS.
“Robert Smith rode him at Bolesworth, this is our first show back together since. He’s easy, he’ll jump a speed class and come back for a power round, it doesn’t blow his mind, in fact, the speed round gives him a bit of confidence,” said Paul.
Sandors Legacy registered Paul’s other win, the 12-year-old claiming just a 0.09 second advantage over Ireland’s Paul Kennedy and Alvatore.
Emily Ward held off all challenges from an early draw to take the concluding table C speed – four seconds added for each lowered pole – with Wild Rose.
“It wall went according to plan. I know she’s fast with a big stride and covers the ground and her experience showed, at every turn she knew exactly what she had to do,” said Emily.
Chloe Winchester continued cementing a firm relationship with Jackie Jones’ Ultimo nine-year-old Dolanda and, following their win at Hickstead, headed the opening 1.30m two-phase with 0.65 seconds in hand. Locally based Keith Shore eased Coriander Van’t Vennehof into second place.
Hannah Barker, aged 12, topped the Amateur 1.10m Grand Prix in a 10-strong jump-off with Cartouche II, a bought from Sally Hopkinson six months ago.
“We were looking for another pony to go with Ammanvalley Santino, but we couldn’t find one that suited – we’re fussy – and we bought a big horse instead! But he’s easy and very careful, we clicked straightaway and he loves the jump-off,” said Hannah.
Georgia Cabb, aged 19, claimed the Amateur 1.20m Grand Prix on Uragan – and credited former rider Will Fletcher for the win.
“I wasn’t going for the tight inside turn option, but Will told me to do it and trust him (Uragan),” said Georgia, who was on a winning streak after heading the silver league qualifier at Aintree a week earlier.
Uragan was purchased in September.
“We bought him on the day I went to University – and he came with me,” said Georgia, who finds the Clearway-sired 13-year-old grey gelding easy – “He’s like a pony.”
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