Royal Windsor Horse Show Grand Prix
Saturday 11 May 2013
The Royal Windsor Grand Prix saw some action packed showjumping this afternoon with thirty nine competitors coming forward and seventeen of them managing to jump clear in the first round.
For those that weren’t so lucky it was primarily the treble combination with a related distance to an imposing oxer that resulted in faults being incurred. The crowded grandstands didn’t let their enthusiasm fade, even when the rain set in, and were often on their feet applauding the brilliant level of horsemanship being played out before them.
It was Irelands Shane Breen who took the title with Breen Equestrian Ltd’s dark brown stallion Balloon by putting in a clear in the jump off just a fraction faster than that of London 2012 Team GB Olympic Team Medallist Peter Charles.
Peter, riding the 11 year old bay mare Murka’s Odie de Frevent owned by Olga White and Team Murka were one of the last to go in the first round and were positioned mid field in the jump off. With one of the field already having put in a clear and the knowledge that he had an incredibly strong field behind him, Peter knew he had to put in a fast clear if he was to stand a chance of winning the class or finishing in the top few placings thus picking up a strong share of the almost £15,000 prize fund at stake.
Coming through the finish clear in a time of 45.97 seconds he managed to retain the lead and looked set, from the grandstands, to be a clear winner with many competitors lowering fences in their haste to beat his time. Holding his lead until the almost the last moment when Shane Breen and Balloon decided that the gauntlet Peter had laid down was still there for the taking, and managed to shave half a second from his time stopping the clock at 45.44 seconds. Third place went to USA’s Lauren Hough and Tackeray, who put in a sterling clear but were just unable to catch the leaders in their time of 46.29 seconds.
Fourth place went to Jessie Drea aged 21 years with Lynne Humphries 12 year-old chestnut mare Touchable. With Tim Davies and Barrett Watsons, Valentijn O and Tina Fletcher and Hello Sailor owned by Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham taking 5th and 6th place with their double clears.
Full results and further information on the show can be found by visiting www.rwhs.co.uk
