“IT meant everything to me – I think the air-punching said it all!” said Harry Wainwright, who claimed his first-ever grand prix victory, partnering the ever-improving Pinheiro Beach.
The combination had laid solid foundations with a super-consistent run-up to this show, finishing inside the top four on their last three grand prix runs.
“[Pinheiro Beach] has just been on fire and has got better and better; I can’t believe how well he’s jumping,” Harry said. “I have been wanting a grand prix win for years and it feels good to finally get one.”
Harry has started to push the 12-year-old gelding against the clock this season, having previously had “an obsession with clear rounds”.
“Aintree was the turning point,” said Harry, who originally owned the horse with Michael Whitaker and Di Fairclough, but bought out their share when he was an eight-year-old. “I wanted to jump a nice clear. I was on the phone to my mum at Aintree and she said, ‘You have nothing to prove with that horse, you need to start having a go.’ Since then, we’ve been getting quicker and quicker and closer and closer until it all paid off.”
Riders were unanimous in their praise of the competitiveness of this jump-off, in which 14 combinations came forward.
Just 0.12sec separated the top three, with Jess Hewitt and Kann Be Lucky finishing 0.06sec behind the leaders, while Paul Barker and his stallion Green Grass were a close third. The remaining double clears were delivered by Robert Murphy (Elan V), Keith Shore (Mystic Hurricane) and Adrian Speight (Millfield Baloney).
Denne historien er fra December 02, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra December 02, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
