JOHN WHITAKER & ARGENTO PERFORM WELL IN GRAZ, AUSTRIA
Monday 10 February 2014
John Whitaker and Argento, the 12 year-old bay stallion owned by his wife (Clare) took 3rd place in the €50,000 Graz Grand Prix in Austria yesterday, Sunday 9th February.
With twelve riders having jumped clear in the first round, the jump off was incredibly competitive with all vying for their lion share of the prize fund. With seven of the twelve then putting in another clear time was the crucial factor in deciding the final line up and less than two seconds deciding the top four placings it gives an idea on how hard it the title was fought for.
It was home rider Thomas Fruhmann with The Sixth Sense with their clear in a time of 38.45 seconds that took home the first prize of €16,500 with Max Kuhner for Germany and Cornetta 11 taking 2nd in a time of 38.97seconds. John and Argento produced a stunning jump off clear, but their time of 39.75 seconds just wasn’t enough to claim a victory and saw them take 3rd place just ahead of Pia Luise Aufrecht for Germany with MCB Ulke and their time of 40.02 seconds.
Joining John in Austria was son Robert with his mother’s Catwalk IV. Jumping clear in the first round they incurred 4 penalties in a time of 39.53 seconds in the jump off giving them a 10th place finish.
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