Joe Trunkfield lands the first Winter Grand Prix of the season at the AW Jenkinson Winter Classic at Aintree International Equestrian Centre
Tuesday 08 October 2024
.jpg "Joe Trunkfield lands the first Winter Grand Prix of the season at the AW Jenkinson Winter Classic at Aintree International Equestrian Centre")
Joe Trunkfield rode a sensational jump-off round with Sue and Gordon Hall’s Grennanstown Sarco Luxhill to lift the Winter Grand Prix title at the AW Jenkinson Winter Classic at Aintree International Equestrian Centre, Liverpool.
Course-designer Nigel Jess tested the 34 Grand Prix riders with a technical 12-fence 1.40m track with 10 finding the key to return for the jump-off, including two rides for British legend John Whitaker.
“It was a clever first round, up to height as it should be for a £3,000 first prize and he got a good number of clears for a super jump-off,” said Joe, who ultimately claimed victory by a commanding four seconds on Grennanstown Sarco Luxhill, pushing John Whitaker on Z7 Regal Don into second place.
“Bart is a horse you can always take risks on, and I really trusted him to take strides out round the corner to the double and the last fence, and he answered every question. “He’s won four Winter Classic Grands Prix now and won the Winter 1.40m the last time we came to Aintree.”
The Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan x Olympic Lux 14-year-old ‘Bart’ has been a mainstay in Joe’s Leicestershire yard for the past three years.
“Bart has been fantastic after three years and I can now count on one hand the shows he’s not come back in profit. I’m so lucky to have him on behalf of Gordon and Su, they support the equestrian industry a lot across all spheres, including racehorses with Paul Nicholls, so it was nice to get an Aintree win! He was in the stable of 2024 Grand National winner I Am Maximus so we hoped this was a sign of things to come in the week,” added Joe.
“He’s not built like your typical sport horse but does everything from his heart and win in any ring, indoors or out. He’s a special horse with a notorious character, but I’m grateful that’s the reason he found me.”
The organisers at Aintree drew praise from many competitors, including Joe: “Hats off to Aintree, every time we’ve attended, they leave no stone unturned in the facilities on offer for the horses and go all out to make it a great atmosphere for both the riders and the public. This, together with great commentary from John Stokes – which makes a big impact – and Nigel Jess’ courses tick all the boxes to make a top show from which we all benefit.”
Winter Grand Prix
Aintree International Equestrian Centre Winter Classic – 6 October 2024
1st Joe Trunkfield & Grennanstown Sarco Luxhill – 0/0 - 34.76
2nd John Whitaker MBE & Z7 Regal Don – 0/0 - 38.74
3rd Chris Smith & Messarado Blue – 0/0 - 39.37
Image: Majestic Photography
