2014 LONGINES WORLD CUP FINAL, LYON – LEG 2
Saturday 19 April 2014
The second leg of the World Cup Final in Lyon saw twenty-eight of the eligible thirty starters coming forward for the Table A 1.50-1.60m class.
For Great Britain all eyes were set on World No.1 ranked rider Scott Brash from Peebleshire with Lady Kirkham and Lady Harris’s 14 year-old bay mare Ursula XII and Michael Whitaker, from Nottinghamshire with his own 12 year-old chetsnut gelding Viking V.
At the end of the 1st leg (yesterday evening) which consisted of a speed class, Michael who had been drawn first to go sat in 16th place with Scott sitting in 11th. Hoping to not only qualify for the third and final leg which takes place on Monday afternoon but to also climb up the league table, they were faced with an enormous 1.50-1.60m course which once again was designed by Frank Rothernberger.
First Round
With an opening fence at 1.50m and a related distance towards the latter end of the course between an oxer and a double that had been built on four and half strides, the course asked many questions which just over half the field were able to answer such was their skill and talent.
Michael in his calm yet incredibly effective way of riding gave Viking the ride of his life. Putting in a performance to mirror the one he produced for Michael at the European Championships last year when he won Team Gold, they returned home clear; the ninth of the competition at that point.
Scott and Ursula entered the arena a few combinations after Michael. Known as the ‘ice man’ for his cool composure, particularly when under pressure, this evening was no different. Calmly pushing Ursula into a rhythmic canter that never seemed to break they put in an absolutely brilliant foot-perfect round to return home within the time allowed on a zero penalty score and assure themselves of a place in the jump-off alongside Michael.
Second Round
With twenty one competitors coming forward for the jump off, the shortened course asked for riders to not only turn 360 degrees back to an enormous vertical but also left rolling distances for those who dare to open up into a gallop.
Jumping in reverse order based on their time in the first round, Michael was in the enviable position of being able to watch almost half of the jump off field go before him with Scott a few more riders after that. Having jumped out of his skin in the first round, Viking wasn’t quite as fortunate in the jump off with two fences being lowered in their time of 47 seconds. Sitting in 8th place at the halfway point in the jump off it was then a waiting game to see if they could improve on their 16th place on the league table.
With Kent Farrington having put in a time of 39.69 seconds a few riders before he had certainly set the standard especially when you bear in mind that he was the only competitor that had managed to break the 40 second mark. With pressure mounting, riders were forced into turning tighter and perhaps moving up on a pace they wouldn’t have normally in their objective of catching him.
Scott and Ursula entered the arena shortly after Michael and once again, in their inimitable style, put in an absolutely flawless round. Looking like they were just taking a canter round the park, they cleared all fences with ease in the deceptively fast time of 42.16 seconds.
Having done enough to sit in 3rd place at that point in time it was then a case of waiting for the remaining riders to finish. Knowing there were some incredibly fast horses and riders still to come the packed grandstands were on the edge of their seats waiting to see how the final placings would play out.
As the final competitor, Pius Schwizer and Toulago for Switzerland came through the finish having had a fence down the final placings saw Scott finish in 6th place and Michael retaining his 16th.
It was Kent Farrington for the USA with Voyeur that took 1st place in the 2nd leg with Steve Guerdat and Nino des Buissonnets for Switzerland in 2nd with defending champion Beezie Madden for the USA with Simon in 3rd. Steve Guerdat holds onto 1st place jointly with Patrice Delaveau with Daniel Deusser in 3rd..
The results that this had on the league placings was that Scott progressed four placings into 7th place whilst Michael moves up into 14th place. Tomorrow is a rest day for the horses contesting the 2014 Longines World Cup title with the 3rd and final competition taking place on Monday afternoon.
Full results can be found by visiting the following link http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/890/890online1ENG.htm?style=longines
For further information regarding the World Cup Final in Lyon please visit http://www.feiworldcupfinals-lyon.com/homepage or www.fei.org
.jpg "Thrilling Weekend Kickstarts the STX-UK Pony British Novice Championship Second Round")
