Graham and Alfie 192 secure their place at Horse of the Year Show
Monday 22 September 2014
.JPG "Graham and Alfie 192 secure their place at Horse of the Year Show")
Royal Berkshire spectators were treated to thrills, spills, spectacular jumping and a tense, high-octane jump-off in the end of season British Showjumping Business Partnership International Stairway Final. Despite the enormous pressure, Graham Lovegrove remained cool, poised and calm to take victory on his own and Sarah Hancock’s 9 year-old bay gelding Alfie 192.
There was a bigger picture. Before the final, Graham was head of the leader board in both the International Stairway League and Horse of the Year Show Wildcard League – awarded to the top rider/horse combination in the International Trials and International Stairway series. Horse of the Year Show access to the International classes for the week was the top priority. The victory secured his ultimate aim, and Graham is now NEC bound.
It was no small task. Course-designer Phil Ashworth tested scope, control, nerve and ride-ability with his twelve-fence track on the undulating gradients of Royal Berkshire’s main arena. Just six combinations of the twenty-six starters left all the fences intact to make their way into the jump-off, with a crack of pressure showing as Graham put everything into jumping the final fence, a square parallel and the bogey for several previous riders.
The supreme effort paid dividends. Graham’s main rival Nigel Coupe, just two points behind on the 11 year-old bay gelding Golvers Hill owned by Susan Simmons, for the sole Horse of the Year Show wildcard pass and six points behind in the International Stairway League, dropped away when the former working hunter Golvers Hill lowered the middle part of the combination. Nigel’s hopes faded fast, and Graham was assured of a week’s trip to Horse of the Year Show.
Tracy Priest’s opening jump-off round on the her own scopey 9 year-old bay gelding Millfield Ultymate remained ahead despite Alfie Bradstock’s challenge on Ann Solis’ 8 year-old bay gelding Benedictus. But William Funnell – a previous winner of this Final – guided William Smith’s relatively inexperienced 8 year-old Judge N Jury into a five second lead.
James Hughes put up a game fight on his own 11 year-old bay gelding Peiter VI, but they were shy of the time by two seconds to slot in behind William.
Louise Saywell looked a serious contender with the 11 year-old bay gelding Hello Whisky Mac IV owned by Lady Pauline Kirkham and Lady Pauline Harris, but the rangy bay just clipped the pole going into the double, and they dropped from contention.
It was down to last to go Graham Lovegrove. Alfie matched Graham’s spirit, and the pair shot ahead with a final, angled approach to the last vertical to win by one and half seconds.
“He felt fantastic and didn’t feel like he’d touch a fence” said Graham, who had relied on his tried and tested technique of a short break for Alfie before a big competition.
“He hasn’t jumped since the British Showjumping Scope Festival three weeks ago and has spent some of the time in the field. Today, he felt refreshed and on top form.”
Graham has regularly competed abroad in previous years, and although he has qualified for Horse of the Year Show several times in the wildcard system held over three days at certain venues, this is the first time he has competed on the county circuit and in the International Stairway Series.
“It’s a fantastic series that rewards consistency over the summer season, and I actually prefer it to the wildcard shows held over three days when you could get a fluke result” said Graham, “Although, there are a couple of shows where I could have gone better.
“I had a time fault at South of England, totally my fault, and missed out on points, and we had to miss New Forest when Alfie developed a touch of colic. He was fine on the day of the show, but we decided not to risk it.”
Supporting the county show circuit has also been a positive aspect.
“The International Stairway series has a great format and it encourages riders to follow the league and the county shows, and they do need our support.”
For the win, Graham earned £2,500 in prize money, £10,000 worth of points for heading the league, and a week at Horse of the Year Show competing in the International classes. Not a bad day at the office!
.jpg "Thrilling Weekend Kickstarts the STX-UK Pony British Novice Championship Second Round")
