LAURA RENWICK LEADS THE WAY
Sunday 27 October 2013
It was Laura Renwick with David Perry’s horse Louis Dor Daymon Z who wowed the crowds at the Bury Farm All Stars Show in Buckingham by winning the Grand Prix on Friday Night.
Only four had jumped clear in the first round of the thirty three starters that had come forward. Having produced the fastest clear, this meant that Laura was in the enviable position of being the last to go in the jump off. She was joined by World No.1 ranked rider Ben Maher MBE who was riding Diva II, a horse owned by former top international rider Elizabeth Edgar. Although having incurred four faults in the first round with this young up and coming horse, he was the fastest and lowest faulter, so was invited into the jump off which will always see a minimum of five come forward.
Guy Williams with Caroline Phillips’ horse Zaire had also put in a great clear in the first round as had Jessie Drea with Lynn Humphries chestnut mare Touchable. The fifth rider was Emily Ward, just fourteen years of age and fresh from winning the Leading Pony Showjumper of the Year title at Horse of the Year Show earlier this month.
Waiting to come into the arena, Laura had received feedback that three of the four had gone clear and in fast times. Guy and Zaire, renown for being fast against the clock and put in the first clear and stopped the timer in 41.25seconds. Ben and Diva were the next combination to jump clear but stopping the clock just 9/100’s of a second slower in 41.34 seconds.
Knowing she had no choice but to jump clear whilst also putting her foot on the accelerator, Laura made some incredible turns that paid off. The crowds most certainly rode the course with her knowing that the competition wasn’t over until she had been. They were absolutely right in their knowledge as she put in an incredible round crossing the finish line almost two seconds faster than Guy and Zaire.
Earlier in the evening Laura had given a ridden demonstration on how she prepares her younger horses for top level competition. Delivering it in the charismatic and grounded style that Laura is known for, the crowds had quickly developed an affinity with her during the evening and this certainly showed in the way they cheered and applauded their approval of her win.
An unfortunate pole down for Emily resulted in 4 penalties, a result that was mirrored by Jessie Drea and them finishing in fifth and fourth respectively.
