‘The Girls Knocked The Boys For Six'

THE Markel jockeys jumping challenge, in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund, has pitted jump jockeys against Flat jockeys, champions against champions and, more recently, boys against girls.

Last year’s battle of the sexes was reprised at Olympia 2019, with the girls turning the tables on last year’s defeat to trounce their opposition by a whopping 19 seconds.

The girls’ side of Lizzie Kelly, Josephine Gordon, Nicola Currie, Bryony Frost (pictured) and captain Bridget Andrews was trained by Pippa and William Funnell. Nick Skelton was in charge of the boys’ squad, comprising his son Harry Skelton, Jim Crowley, Nico de Boinville, Tom Scudamore and captain Sir AP McCoy.

Lizzie opened proceedings with a quick clear, successfully negotiating the joker at the last, newly introduced this year to offer a bonus four seconds. Josephine followed up with an even faster performance.

Things went slower for the men, with first-to-go Nico enjoying a quiet hack around the course. Team pride was partially redeemed, however, by a stand-out round from Jim Crowley, who set the overall fastest time.

“I don’t think I was very good — I was well-horsed,” Jim said. “This was totally alien to me, but it was great fun.”