Chepstow Spring International CSI2* David Broome Event Centre, Monmouthshire
THERE was déjà vu at Britain's second two-star show of the season when the top two places in the grand prix went to the exact same combinations as the previous week at Chard - Mikey Pender on HHS Cornetta and William Whitaker on Chacco's Lando (see report, p66, and box, top right).
But while William may have missed out on the top payout for the second week running, his brother George banked a victory in Friday's big tour 1.45m Longines rankings class with his father-in-law Martin Wood's prolific winner Peanut.
This track jumped arguably tougher than the grand prix, with just five from 65 starters going through to the second phase although all of those then left the fences standing.
Fellow Whitaker clan member Joe Clayton had set a solid lead with the consistent Gentlemen VH Veldhof, quick enough to deflect a bid from Billy Twomey and his Bolesworth grand prix winner Chat Botte ED. But Peanut always poses a threat when he makes a jump-off, and he forged a 0.41sec advantage from final draw.
"Joe's horse has a big stride but it was a course that suited me really. There was a line from an oxer to a double that was identical to a line I'd had down when I was abroad," said George, who recently returned from Belgium.
This story is from the May 02, 2024 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 02, 2024 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'The world's toughest steeplechase'
The Pardubice is well known to be formidable. Xander Brett asks some of the British raiders how they rose to the challenge
What's the problem?
Lameness is often the first thought if a sport horse performs below par, but there are plenty of other possible causes. Imogen Johns FRCVS explains
Lewis Robertson-Carrier
The new national dressage champion and his newly-wed wife tell Oscar Williams about the highs, challenges and emotions of their unforgettable week
New technology aims to reduce equine inbreeding
The idea is to give owners of mares and stallions more information when choosing possible pairings
Half of owners cannot identify equine lameness
A study found many owners cannot tell when a horse is lame or sound
Calls for dental checks to be in routine sale vettings
Only a basic mouth check is currently part of the standard pre-purchase examination.
Ensuring everyone feels valued in the horse world
A new action plan and education collaboration are aimed at making the equestrian sector more inclusive
New frangible fence makes its British eventing debut
The trakehner, which is designed to collapse forwards and down under impact, will be in use at Osberton this week
Vet corporatisation: how it has changed the horse world
Vets from both types of practices discussed whether or not they and the industry have benefited
Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.