CSI3* Vilamoura Champions Tour, Portugal
THE majority of Britain’s leading showjumpers are currently scattered across Europe chasing competition opportunities, but a particular corner of Portugal, and Vilamoura’s six-week Champions Tour, has proved to be the most popular of all.
Entries for the three-star classes in week two hovered around the 100-mark, and even qualifying for Sunday’s 1.50m grand prix was a feat in itself. But 60 combinations went to post with 12 clears producing a pulsating jump-off.
The spoils went to Dutch rider Kim Emmen riding the 11-year-old Toulon gelding Jack Van Het Dennehof with the fastest double clear in 38.26sec. But challenging from the penultimate draw, John Whitaker and Old Lodge’s gelding Sharid, also by Toulon, produced a formidable performance over the imposing 1.50m track, finishing just 1.55sec behind for second and a €10,220 (£9,240) prize.
“I just lost it to the final fence – I didn’t quite get the turn I wanted,” explained John, fresh from a string of good results on the Spanish Sunshine Tour. “I was late to go, so I knew what I had to do and just didn’t quite manage it this time, but he really upped his game today. It was a tough course – all the rankings classes this week have been a real test.”
Just behind the Yorkshireman in third place was Brazilian rider Yuri Mansur with the great Vitiki (see box, top right), while Irishman David Simpson (Foudre F) and Scotsman Douglas Duffin (Linares BG) finished in the money with four faults apiece against the clock.
Esta historia es de la edición October 22, 2020 de Horse & Hound.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición October 22, 2020 de Horse & Hound.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life
