Stunning Royal Windsor Day Four Showcases Rising Stars
STUNNING ROYAL WINDSOR DAY FOUR SHOWCASES RISING STARS
Two of Britain’s rising young show jumping stars set the standard on a dramatic day of action at Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Traditionally a huge crowd puller, the Saturday of the show plays host to some of greatest spectacles in equestrianism from the driving marathon – the thrilling showpiece of the Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix - to the edge of seat action in the St George of England Puissance.
Royal Windsor Horse Show proved a happy hunting ground for William Whitaker, one of Britain’s most talented young show jumping prospects. His had his first taste of the “big red wall” here in 2007 and amid tricky, windy conditions in front of a packed crowd, produced a brilliant performance with Michael Whitaker’s Cyber Space to clear 7ft (2m 13) taking the top slot ahead of Daniel Neilson, a newcomer to the Puissance, and Derek Morton in third.
William who claimed the top prize of £2,000 from a prize pot of £6,000, said: “He came here really fresh. He had a little jump on the first day. The British Open was my first big show with him and he felt even better here.”
Meanwhile Matthew Sampson, another emerging young star, was celebrating after opening the day’s action with a win in the Open with Duncan Inglis’s Chianti Classico.
Conditions under foot were remarkably good in the marathon. British-based Australian Boyd Exell went into the lead over four-time world champion Ysbrand Chardon from The Netherlands in the thrilling finale which left less than three penalties between them going into the final day.
In the horse pairs, Beat Schenk of Switzerland, who won here in 2006, retained his lead after the marathon. Chasing him for second place is Harry Verstappen from The Netherlands.
In pony teams, Germany’s Dieter Hofs overtook Jean De Cloedt from Belgium, these two reversing their positions after the first day.
