Jack Whitaker claims a hard-fought third place in the first FEI World Cup qualifier of the season in the round up the week’s International results
Monday 16 October 2023
Jack Whitaker went all out for the win in the first leg of the 2023/2024 FEI World Cup series in Oslo, Norway, but had to settle for third on Equine America Valmy De La Lande.
Not the intention of course-designer Elio Travagliati (ITA), but such was the quality of the field of 40 tackling the 1.40 – 1.60m track, 17 on-form riders answered all the questions for a second-round race against the clock, including World Number 1 Henrik von Eckermann. But British-based Irishman Richard Howley rode with emphatic determination and skill to take victory on the 12-year-old Consulent De Prelet Z by 0.30 seconds.
There were still five left to go when Jack Whitaker slotted into third with Equine America Valmy de la Lande - the brilliant little grey with which he finished fifth at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup 2022 Final in Leipzig, Germany. But Jack suffered a heart-stopping moment at the last.
"When you risk it all to the last and Valmy saves you," said Jack, after taking a flyer to the final oxer and standing way off.
Breaking the beam in 36.42 seconds and 1.87 seconds off the winning time, the British duo pinned 2009 European champion Kevin Staut and Beau de Laubry Z from France into fourth.
Ben Maher jumped to the top in the 5* 1.50m speed with Exit Remo in Oslo, Norway.
Forty-four riders came forward in this class with Ben smoothly hitting top gear on the San Remo x Ferro 14-year-old to claim victory by 1.24 seconds.
Second 24 hours earlier, Adrian Speight upped a gear to take the win in the World Ranking 2* 1.45m on Judith Whitham’s Millfield Baloney in Vilamoura, Portugal.
Fourteen of the 55 starters returned for the jump-off with Adrian and the Balou Du Rouet 17-year-old edging ahead to win by just 0.03 seconds. James Smith slotted Tayvale Hunky Dory into third with Laura Renwick in fourth aboard Enjoy CK Z.
Skye Higgin claimed second in the feature 3* Grand Prix with Djordania Du Tillard in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain.
Only seven of the 40 starters returned initial clears to qualify for the jump-off with Skye and the Air Jordan/Diamant De Semilly 10-year-old mare a little over three seconds behind the winner, Germany’s Jana Wargers on Rockwell RC. Karl Robins also featured but it didn’t go according to plan second time out and Equine America G Camille HBF finished seventh.
Annabel Shields was less than half a second away from winning the feature world ranking 2* 1.45m Grand Prix in Azelhof, Belgium, on Creevagh Carisma.
The 78 starters were reduced to 19 for the jump-off, Annabel galloping into the runner-up spot just 0.38 seconds behind the winning time on the Camiro De Haar Z 13-year-old mare.
Image: Jack Whitaker and Equine America Valmy De La Lande. Credit - FEI/Kim C Lundin
