Keysoe FEI 2* & HOYS Wild Card Show Report
Thursday 06 July 2017
A very popular three-day Keysoe International meeting basked in the sunshine and ran from early starts until dusk. And rounding off a super show, James Smith claimed his second 2* grand prix in five days with two beautifully executed round on Twix De La Roque.
The consistent Scottish rider – winner of the British Masters grand prix with Balibu – on this occasion picked up more valuable world-ranking points here. Fifty-two started over Kelvin Bywater’s 13-fence track, but fences fell fairly evenly, and only seven managed to cross the line penalty-free to access the jump-off.
However, only two posted second round clears, James scorching ahead on the Kannan 10-year-old Twix De La Roque he has ridden for two months to lift the grand prix title by a handsome 3.91 seconds.
James’ performance impressed performance manager Di Lampard.
“James has only been with the horse for a little while and he’s notched up three big wins in the last two weeks at Royal Highland, the British Masters and now here,” she said.
Holly Smith provided the only other jump-off clear on the big-jumping nine-year-old Quality Old Joker for second place. And it earned her the top HOYS wildcard place, gaining her access to jump the International classes at the prestigious 3* show at the NEC, Birmingham in October.
Fifth in the grand prix on Eindhoven GH, Louise Saywell had jumped to the top on day one, taking the 1.40m in fine style on Graham Ward’s Chicago Z 12-year-old Feigtling. The pair claimed a half second advantage over Holly on Quality Old Joker in the seventy-eight strong speed class, and Louise’s results over the week earned the second HOYS wildcard pass.
“Two worthy riders rode consistently well over the three days to pick up the Horse of the Year Show wildcards on offer. Now we look forward to seeing which riders take the wildcards at the National Championships,” said Di Lampard.
British-based Irishman Trevor Breen headed the 1.45m on day two with Bombay, finishing just 0.30 second in front of Julie Andrews, in second on Wilando B. Louise was also in the mix in the 55-strong two-phase class for third on James Hughes’ Pieter.
Brits dominated day two’s 1.35m speed class with Simon Crippen holding off all challenges 61 rivals to win on the Grand Pilot I 12-year-old Atlanta VIII. Rachael Connor was almost two seconds behind the pace on her HOYS talentseekers finalist Fantastic, a Casantos/Oklund 7-year-old, with young rider Jodie Hall-McAteer, 16, filling third on Colette.
Dale Burnham lifted the concluding 1.35m two-phase, outpacing his 37 rivals to win on the Cardento nine-year-old Doriena by 0.90 sec. Scotsman Graham Gillespie – now based in Belgium – claimed second on the nine-year-old mare Eodyminka.
Paul Barker continued on his successful run, the speedy Yorkshireman – winner of three classes at the British Masters, Wettenhall, just days earlier – pushed on to claim a victory double with Sandors Legacy. The 12-year-old answered Paul’s every question to head day two’s sixty-eight entry 1.25m speed class by 0.63 seconds.
That was a warning shot, the confident pair stormed ahead on the final day’s 1.25m to take the honours with an impressive 4.35 seconds in hand. Emma Slater had to settle for second spot on the 7-year-old Balou Star stallion Ruxton Hullabalou.
Rachael claimed a win of her own in day one’s 1.20m, galloping to victory with more than four seconds in hand on her recently qualified HOYS newcomer finalist B Valeree, a Larino 11-year-old mare. Julian Mincher netted second aboard the Irish-bred 11-year-old mare Calista, and again had to settle for second in day two’s 1.25m to Paul Barker.
But Julian did claim a win – making it a double on Diretto, a Dutch-bred 11-year-old mare he’s ridden since March. The pair triumphed in day one’s 1.10m and repeating their win a day later in the 1.15m. On day one, they claimed the narrow margin of 0.11 seconds over Tony Pearson on Amadeus M, but on day two they raced ahead to win by 0.74 seconds.
Sixty-four touted for victory in day one’s 1.30m, but Polly Gredley found all the answers on the Concorde 12-year-old Unex Arantos to take the win by 0.37 seconds. Ben Wallker pushed new ride of one month Deezie-Katine Weering, a Numero Uno nine-year-old, into second place.
Jo McGlory raced ahead to take the 1.15m final with Witro, an Indoctro-sired 14-year-old she acquired two months ago. The forty-nine starters were whittled down to 18 for the jump-off, Jo and Witro gaining a 0.42 second advantage over Ireland’s Trevor Nicholson on Gunar S.
Ten of the forty six-year-olds posted first round clears to access their grand prix jump-off, topped by Zak Beesley on the promising mare Optimistic. Kayleigh Watts proved 0.56 sec behind for second place on the Warrior x Pierrot mare Princess Warrior, a ride she gained in February and jumped on the Spanish sunshine tour.
Harry Bateman claimed the top spot in the five-year-old grand prix with the consistent Heerdelon. Eleven of an original forty-two contended the jump-off with Harry taking charge to win by 0.40 sec on the Toulon x Lux mare. Julian again featured, taking second on Elda Balou.
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