Posted: 16th May 2016 | Back to news feed
Thursday 12 May 2016
SHOW JUMPING: SPEEDY PHILIP MILLER TRIUMPHANT
The main national show jumping class of the day was the 1.40m Grade A & B two phase competition, which proved to be a challenging course, with only four of the 30 starters jumping a double clear round. Fourth to go, Tim Stockdale, set the early pace, jumping a double clear in a time of 29.85 seconds to finish eventual third, however it was Philip Miller aboard Unbelievable Lady who claimed the £1,200 winners prize. The chestnut mare, by Unbelievable Darco, jumped an immaculate round to secure victory, knocking 1.78 seconds off runner-up Trevor Breen’s time.
Further winners on the day were Katie Meredith and Zoralyn, who took the Land Rover Grades B & C Handicap from Nicola Wilson and Maja Burnell who galloped to victory in the opening International CSI-Am competition of the show riding the nine-year-old Crona Cr. The other jumping class of the day was the Olympic Star Spotters for six-year-olds, which saw 12 riders jump double clear to share equal first place.
LAND ROVER INTERNATIONAL DRIVING GRAND PRIX:
28 horse four-in-hands from eight nations competed in the first leg of the Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix today - the dressage. First place after this phase, and by a significant margin, is the current World Champion, Boyd Exell from Australia. His closest challengers are the three members of the gold medal winning Netherlands team at WEG two years ago - Ijsbrand Chardon, Theo Timmerman and Koos de Ronde. The winner of the last two years, Chester Weber from the USA, had to be content with fifth position as he prepares for the second phase, the cross-country marathon.
Exell, who is driving a team of mixed KWPN horses of varying experience, has a lead of some 7-penalties over the rest of the field; the next four contenders are bunched close together, separated by just two penalties. With Exell and Chardon, both multiple winners here over the years, keen to reclaim the title, Weber on his mettle to retain it and Timmerman and de Ronde looking to take it for the first time, Saturday’s marathon promises outstanding sport and great excitement.
SHOWING: A ROYAL VICTORY FOR KATIE JERRAM
For the second year running, Her Majesty The Queen’s Barber’s Shop, ridden by Katie Jerram, landed the RoR Tattersalls Thoroughbred Ridden Show Horse Championship. The fourteen-year-old gelding will reappear to contest the Ladies Show Horse tomorrow.
The Leeman Family were compensated for their aborted journey yesterday, when their homebred two-year-old filly, Kellythorpes Spot The Difference, made her show ring debut to take the In Hand Coloured Championship. It was also co-producer Janay Leeman’s birthday and rider Frazer Atherden’s parents’ wedding anniversary.
Friday 13 May 2016
SHOW JUMPING: WHITAKER'S REIGN SUPREME
Guy Williams, renowned for being quick against the clock, set the early pace as third to go in the first International 4* competition of the Show, the Manama Speed Stakes, with an immaculate clear in a time of 26.94 seconds. Those that followed tried in vain to catch Guy at the top of the order, who went away eventual winner aboard the fourteen-year-old chestnut gelding Casper De Muze. The penultimate rider, USA’s Laura Kraut looked to put Guy’s lead in jeopardy, making all the turns and galloping to the last, creating excitement amongst the packed grandstand, however her time of 27.23 was only good enough for second place. In third was Joe Davison, son of former Royal Windsor Horse Show Dressage winner Richard Davison, who jumped the two phase track clear in 27.79.
The feature event of the day, the Bahrain Pearl Stakes, saw a global field of 35 world class riders contesting the £7,500 first prize, reflecting the upgraded status of the show to 4* level. Great Britain’s Tim Stockdale was the first to jump clear in the 17 horse jump-off, setting a time of 41.06, however it was double Olympic gold medallist Beezie Madden who threw down the gauntlet, knocking over five seconds off Tim’s time, stopping the clock in an impressive 36 seconds. The twisty course caused a few problems for those trying to chase the leaders, but home favourite John Whitaker pulled out all the stops jumping clear in 33.62 aboard the stunning stallion Argento to take the lead much to the delight of the Windsor crowd. However, when it looked like John had the class wrapped up, it was son Robert, riding Catwalk IV, who had the final say posting an impressive clear in 32.44 to take the well-deserved victory.
LAND ROVER INTERNATIONAL DRIVING GRAND PRIX
Germany’s Dieter Höfs took the lead after the first phase of the pony four-in-hand Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix winning the dressage from former World Champion, Jan de Boer of the Netherlands. Höfs was last to go of the ten pony four-in-hands and steered his Welsh ponies through a smooth test to head the class just 2-penalties ahead of the Dutchman.
The sole Hungarian driver at Royal Windsor this year, Vilmos Jambor, took third place with his Hackney ponies some 3-penalties behind de Boer. The only British pony four-in-hand competitor, Sara Howe, a member of Great Britain’s bronze medal winning team at the 2015 Pony World Championships, is currently in fifth place.
The Nations Cup for horse four-in-hands, in which seven Nations are competing, has the Netherlands in the lead at this stage, with Germany second and Australia third. Great Britain is in fifth place behind Belgium
All competitors in the Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix face the challenging cross-country marathon tomorrow. The eight obstacles have been flagged by experienced course designer, Richard Nicoll from the USA, who kindly stepped in when last year’s course designer, Christian Iseli, was taken ill just a few days ago
SHOWING: FURTHER DELIGHT FOR HM THE QUEEN
HM The Queen’s black Fell mare Murthwaite Dawn Chorus delighted her owner by winning her class and then going on to stand reserve supreme in-hand mountain and moorland champion. The pony lives at the Royal Mews and is regularly ridden by members of the Royal Family. The winner of the exceptionally high standard class was Broughton Morwena, owned by Lesley Evans.
In ridden ranks, Clare Twiston-Davies’s reigning Horse of the Year Show cob champion Randalstown Musketeer took his first Royal Windsor title for Wales based producer Vicky Hesford.
Saturday 14 May 2016
KENT FARRINGTON MAKES A SUCCESSFUL DEBUT AT ROYAL WINDSOR
Today’s feature class of the day, the Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes for The King’s Cup, turned into a scintillating race against the clock, with World No. 6, Kent Farrington coming out on top in the eight horse jump-off. Great Britain’s Joe Davison produced a beautiful clear round as first to go in the jump-off, setting a time of 36.79 seconds, however with notably fast riders to follow, his lead was soon relinquished. Kent, riding the nine-year-old chestnut gelding Creedance, showed why he is amongst the best riders in the World, posting an impressive time of 31.86, over a second faster than eventual second Tiffany Foster.
The Rolex Testimonee, who is competing at Royal Windsor Horse Show for the first time, was thrilled with the result, “What more can I ask for. I’ve never been here before, so we’re off to a great start and with this being The Queen’s Birthday Celebration too, it’s a great moment.”
The second World Ranking class of the day went to Great Britain’s leading lady rider Laura Renwick, who took the Falcon Stakes. The unique class format, whereby the winner of each of the seven groups in the first round, along with the fastest losers, went through to the jump-off, caused much excitement amongst the packed crowd. Lorenzo De Luca, held the lead after posting a challenging time of 28.03, but Renwick, who was last to go into the arena, was class personified and cut over a second off his time to take the victory aboard Heliodor Hybris.
Her Majesty The Queen’s Challenge Cup For Service Team Jumping was claimed by The Household Cavalry Team B with the only faultless tally at the end of two rounds. The trio of riders included Major Housby-Skeggs (Hightide), Corporal of the Horse Lacey (Nudger) and Captain Chambers (Freeway).
LAND ROVER INTERNATIONAL DRIVING GRAND PRIX - EXELL HANGS ON TO THE LEAD
Cool sunny weather and good footing underhoof gave the 28 horse four-in-hand and 10 pony four-in-hand competitors perfect conditions for today’s cross-country marathon. Going in reverse order of placings in both classes, attention necessarily became more focused as the classes drew on, but there was plenty of good sport from competitors throughout.
“This was a really good marathon that bought the best out in contestants,” said President of the Ground Jury, GB’s Andrew Counsell. “It allowed those who did not excel at dressage to make up ground and improve their positions with skillful driving here, perhaps particularly in the pony four-in-hands.”
In the lead after dressage and therefore last to go in the horse four-in-hands, Boyd Exell from Australia, drove with notable steadiness but always keeping in touch with the timings of his fellow competitors. The pressure on him increased, however, in the penultimate obstacle where he lost significant seconds as his leaders went either side of a post. Correcting the situation smoothly, he proved his competitive professionalism yet again as he drove quickly and cleanly through the final obstacle to record the second fastest time through it; he thus retained his first place at this stage.
Ijsbrand Chardon from the Netherlands, in joint second before the marathon, was looking to catch up Exell throughout - and he nearly did; he drove a fast, fluent marathon to win this section and to move up to less than one-cone penalty behind him. Chardon’s fellow countryman, Koos de Ronde, also drove a clean marathon which improved his position from fourth to third at this point.
Competition was no less determined in the pony four-in-hands, with little quarter given. Overnight leader, Dieter Hofs from Germany, slipped out of the running to fifth place with his steady but comparatively slow marathon drive. First place after this phase went to Hungary’s Vilmos Jambor Jr, competing at Royal Windsor for the first time with his Hackney ponies and lying third after yesterday’s dressage. Former World Champion and multiple Royal Windsor winner, Jan de Boer from the Netherlands, retained his second place overall with a good marathon drive. The winner of this section, Germany’s Michael Bugener - another making his debut at Royal Windsor - drove a storming marathon to take him from seventh place after dressage to third overall.
Placings in the Nations Cup for horse four-in-hands remained unchanged after the marathon, the Netherlands leading the field some 20 penalties clear of Germany. Australia retains her third placing. The Netherlands have proved invincible at the last seven World Horse Four-in-Hand Championships, taking team gold each time.
SHOWING: ALL AGES WIN AT WINDSOR
Our youngest winner of the day was Toby Johnstone who took the BSPS Heritage Mountain & Moorland Open Lead Rein Class riding Pumphill Fandango.
Britain’s glorious native breeds again took centre stage this morning. The top spot went to Newbury based Hannah Horton with Lady Huntingdon’s stunning Connemara Slieve Bloom Jill with her first Royal Windsor native title.
At the other end of the age range, Angela Pallet’s amazing 18-year-old Welsh Section B gelding Waitwith Westwind romped to victory in his working hunter pony class and stood reserve champion.
The prestigious show pony title went to Yorkshire based combination Georgina Holmes and her 148cm winner Wilderness Early Bird.
ROYAL WINDSOR ENDURANCE: UAE VICTORIOUS
Saif Ahmed Al Mozroui of the UAE yesterday triumphed at the Royal Windsor Endurance kindly supported by the Kingdom of Bahrain. Riding Ramaah he finished in a time of 04:41:27, almost six minutes clear of the second placed rider, Mohammed Adbulsamad from Bahrain on Derrom Galiem who was just one second ahead of third placed Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum on Intisaar, also from the UAE.
Ramaah’s trainer, Ismael Mohammed, said: “It is a really good result for the UAE, starting off the summer season with this win. We came here with good horses and we were hoping for this result."
Now in its fourth year, a field of 52 competitors from a record thirteen nations set off into Windsor Great Park to complete four loops, and a total distance of 120km. The course included the home straight of Ascot Racecourse on loop one, and a number of picturesque landmarks and backdrops throughout. Despite the recent torrential rain, conditions out on the course were excellent and the average speed of Al Mozroui was a brisk 25.6 kilometres per hour.
Royal Windsor Endurance Director, Michael Shephard said: “We are very pleased to have hosted another successful ride in this beautiful setting, and delighted to have had more countries than ever on the start line. The weather was very kind to us today and the competition as fierce as ever."
Sunday 15 May 2016
KENT FARRINGTON STEALS THE SHOW
A full-house of enthusiastic visitors witnessed the USA’s Kent Farrington claim the biggest spoils of the week in the Grand Prix for the Kingdom of Bahrain Trophy. Despite a valiant challenge by Britain’s John Whitaker (Argento), who thrilled the home crowd, the American visitor took the win with the super speedy Creedance.
After an exciting first round, 14 riders came through with faultless score cards to the jump-off. Canada’s Tiffany Foster, riding Brit Ben Maher’s former London Olympic gold medal winning ride Tripple X III, was second to go and held the lead for almost half the second phase with her clean performance. She was toppled from pole position when Kent smashed her target by three seconds, causing those watching to whoop in delight at the display of calculated horsemanship.
John then tried to steal the win for the home crowd, but finished one second adrift despite a strong start out on the shortened course.
“Up to the planks [halfway around the track] I knew I was quicker,” said John, who praised Royal Windsor Horse Show’s move to four-star jumping. “Then he spooked at something. I don’t know what it was, so I ended up doing two or three strides more than Kent.”
The final double clear of the class came from Italy’s Piergiorgio Bucci (Casallo Z), but a steadier round than the two prior faultless performers meant third place and handed victory to Kent.
“Creedance is a naturally fast horse and was flying out there, but I held my breath a bit when John went,” said Kent. “I grew up watching him and he is still just as good now as he was then.
“I’ve taken two big wins this week so I think I should get out of town quick!”
France’s Adeline Hecart prevented a home win too, this time for Robert Smith (Cimano E) in the Palm Accumulator. The 20-year-old pinched back 0.01sec from the Brit’s long-time target to steal her second Royal Windsor win in two years with Questions D’Orval.
“There weren't really many places to make up extra time, so I think there was a bit of luck involved,” said Adeline, who won last year’s winning round competition with the 12-year-old mare.
A huge fan of the show, Adeline is delighted to be here during this special year.
“It is my favourite show in the world,” she said. “Last year, the atmosphere was amazing and the people who come here are so knowledgeable and appreciative of horses. But this year you can really feel that there is something more and sense how much people love The Queen and want to celebrate her birthday.”
LAND ROVER INTERNATIONAL DRIVING GRAND PRIX - EXELL EXCELS
With his magnificent four-in-hand warmbloods, reigning World Champion, Boyd Exell from Australia, drove to victory in the final phase of the Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix at Royal Windsor, reclaiming the win that has been his six times previously.
“We’ve been second for the last two years,” smiled a relieved Exell. “I lost it in the cones last year and I really did not want to do that again.” He added, “I’ve been trying out new combinations of horses in recent years but these ones have really gone well for me. They got me out of trouble in obstacle seven yesterday when we almost took a wrong turn.”
Exell was in first place as the final phase began, but the pressure mounted as the top drivers began recording double clear rounds. Four time World Champion, Ijsbrand Chardon was less than one cones penalty behind Exell and is usually exemplary in this section. However, uncharacteristically, he had two balls down which dropped him behind fellow countryman, Koos de Ronde ,and German driver, Christoph Sandmann, and gave the current World Champion a bit of breathing space. He didn’t need it - he drove a sure and clean double clear to take his seventh Royal Windsor win.
Today’s cones course was designed by experienced course designer, Richard Nicolls from the USA, and was described by competitors as ‘classic Nicolls’.
“They know that I design course that are flowing but technical,” he said. “There are changes of rein and various options but I don’t like mad dashes across the arena or a course that constantly doubles back on itself. It’s better for the drivers if the course flows and it is better for spectators too.”
Pony four-in-hands provided an even more nail-biting finale. Yesterday’s marathon winner, Germany’s Michael Bugener, lying in third place overall attacked the course with vigour; it earned him a round that was clear on time but at the expense of 12 penalty points. In second place at this stage, Jan de Boer from the Netherlands, drove confidently and steadily, also making the time but picking up just 3 penalties. In the lead, Vilmos Jambor jr from Hungary, drove with some caution - he dropped behind on time, but more punishingly accrued 9 penalties. Jan de Boer and his Welsh Section As, therefore, claimed the win at Royal Windsor for the sixth time with Bugener and Jambor jr, both competing for the first time here, taking second and third.
“I’m particularly pleased with the new pony I have in the wheel,” said the delighted Dutchman, who last won here two years ago. “I felt I really had to look after him in the marathon, particularly in the first obstacles, as he is still inexperienced.”
In the Nations Cup competition, the Netherlands - Ijsbrand Chardon, Koos de Ronde and Theo Timmerman - never looked like relinquishing the first place they have held since the first day. Germany - Rainer Duen, Marieke Harm and Christoph Sandmann - too, retained their second position throughout but Belgium - Dries Degrieck and Edouard Simonet - overtook Australia for third place.
SHOWING: WORKING HUNTER PONIES TAKE THE LIMELIGHT
Working hunter ponies delighted a packed audience around the Frogmore arena this morning. One of the most popular winners was the 18-year old 143cm grey gelding Carnsdale Caspar, owned by the Beaconsfield based Wrennall family, beautifully ridden by Katie Wrennall, 12. The still enthusiastic campaigner jumped one of only two clears over a demanding course.
Another game veteran, 16-year old CJs Tonto, accounted for the 133cm division, but the section title went to Sophie Lawes and her 135cm bay mare Carnsdale Vanity Fair.
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