Daring Agent Makes Decisive Cut

JAKE MYERS made his biggest win to date an emphatic one.

- Sarah Radford

He claimed the 138cm winter qualifier by a six-second gulf thanks to a daring jump-off performance on The Agent.

Having already claimed their ticket with a third place at Keysoe, the 12-year-old Devon rider and the 24-year-old pony had nothing to lose in the six-strong third round.

Executing a precision volley of inside routes, they dramatically undercut an opening clear from Red Morgan and Dylasau Derior to set a lead that proved untouchable.

The riders that followed — Paige Newton (Beauty Spot),  Iwan Carpenter (Fancy A Baileys) and Harriette Jones (Kilpatrick Fiona) — all put themselves out of contention on eight faults, but a closing clear round from 12-year-old Thomas Cooper on Misty Bay II secured second, and the top qualifying spot.

“I knew I didn’t have as much pressure on as everyone else, as none of them had qualified,” said Jake, who had a strong show, also picking up a win in the Graham Heath UK handicap qualifier with Lucky Lane Firecracker. “There were some tight turns, so I practised some of the lines I would take before my round.”

Bury Farm was only the fifth outing for Jake and the evergreen veteran “Eddy”, whom he took over from Isabelle Ryder in November. While Jake previously jumped the 128cm circuit, he never made a winter third round until forging this partnership.

“Eddy is always amazing and tries his best,” added Jake, who is trained at shows by Bernice Stronge. “I’m really looking forward to the final and to having a go at the Horse of the Year Show [HOYS] qualifiers now.”

Sparrow flies THE opening day’s winter 138cm qualifier produced another decisive victory when Holly Cooper and Mr Jack Sparrow prevailed by more than four seconds from pathfinders Tegan Rowlands and National Eighteen.