Equestrian Team GBR Jumpers complete their first day at FEI World Equestrian Games, Tryon
Wednesday 19 September 2018
The opening speed leg at the FEI World Equestrian Games for both the Team and Individual Jumping medals on offer saw a total of 124 combinations come forward across 46 nations throughout the day at Tryon in the USA.
The testing 1.55m course, designed by Alan Wade, took in 14 obstacles across a winding course which included an open water in the centre of the arena, three doubles and a final fence of an oxer almost in line with the first fence.
For Great Britain it was William Funnell, from Kent, with the Billy Stud’s 10 year-old chestnut gelding Billy Buckingham who were the first of the team of four to come forward. Drawn early on in the field of starters they posted an impeccable round to leave all fences untouched within a time of 87.25 seconds. Talking afterwards William commented about his homebred horse, who’s sire is Billy Congo on whom he won a Team Bronze at the 2013 European Championships in Herning, by saying “He’s not the fastest horse, so I wasn’t expecting to come out in the lead, but I was really pleased with the way he jumped in there, he jumped really well. It’s a good start, and hopefully he jumps as well tomorrow and the next day and I can do a good job for the team.”
Making her first appearance on a Championship team was Holly Smith from Leicestershire with Hearts Destiny, a 9 year-old bay gelding owned by both herself, husband Graham and T J Hall Limited. A pole down coming out of the double at fence 11, which had followed the open arched wall, saw them have to add 4 time to their 83.17 seconds to give them a finish of 87.17. Reflecting on her round Holly said “He felt absolutely amazing in there; there was just one small mistake, which started with him being a bit green at the wall. I’m just delighted with him, coping with that atmosphere having just done a year of international competition. I think tomorrow will be more to his strengths, with the bigger jumps.”
Also making her Championship debut was Amanda Derbyshire from Lancashire riding Gochman Sport Horse LLC’s 10 year-old bay mare Luibanta BH. A fast time of 77.30 seconds saw Amanda finish in a solid position as the second highest placed Brit despite 8 time penalties having to be added to give her a finish score of 85.30 seconds. An error at the water had seen Luibanta miss her stride at the open water and then have the following fence down before settling back into her stride and delivering an otherwise faultless round. Discussing what happened Amanda explained “I was going for a fast clear which was my plan. Up until the water [jump] that was all going to plan, but unfortunately she picked up a stride early, which is very unusual for her, she’s never done that before and I think it then left us a little unorganised for the next fence. I think she finished the course well and in a fast time so that still puts us in pretty good stead for tomorrow.”
Last of the team of four for Great Britain was William Whitaker from West Yorkshire with Ludwig and Yasmine Criel’s 14 year-old bay stallion Utamaro d’Ecaussines. Moving at quite a pace they stopped the clock in a very fast time of 78.62 seconds, however a touch of a pole going into the final double saw 4 time penalties added to give them a finish score of 82.62 seconds. Their time though was still fast enough to see them finish as the highest placed Brit and within the top 25% of the field. Talking about his round William said “It was a real shame as he jumped brilliantly out there and it’s a tricky course. He jumped a great round, I think I could have perhaps helped him a bit more up that line, he was trying very hard and I think he was just anticipating the second part [of the double] a bit because he’s a careful horse, and then he just touched the front bar. But from my point of view I’m very, very happy with him”.”
Talking afterwards Di Lampard, World Class Performance Manager for Showjumping furthered “We made a plan that we would all have a go [at getting a good time] and that each of the riders would make sure they were going on as forward a pace as they were comfortable asking their horse for rather than playing safe for a steady clear. I’m pleased to say that it worked out ok as even those that had a fence still finished well and on a good time. The team were competitive today, the horses went well and we’re looking forward to tomorrow when the big jumping starts.”
Today’s speed leg counts towards both the Team and Individual medals and also decides which teams are eligible go forward for Round 1 of the Team format competition. Final placings for the team see all four British team riders finish within the top 50% of the field with William Whitaker in 28th, Amanda Derbyshire 46th, Holly Smith 59th and William Funnell 60th. Tomorrow will see the top 25 teams eligible to come forward to contest not only the team medals on offer but also the six Olympic qualifying places that are available.
Full results from today and start lists for tomorrow can be found by visiting www.tryon2018.com and updates and information in respect of how to watch the action from WEG and news on the British Team can be found by visiting the specific Tryon 2018 section at www.equestrianteamgbr.co.uk
Equestrian Team GBR is supported by the UK Sport National Lottery funded World Class Programme; the British teams are very grateful to the support they receive from the British Equestrian Federation Fund and official partners Dodson and Horrell, Equi-Trek, FALPRO England, Musto, NAF and Point Two.
Image: William Whitaker & Utamaro d'Ecaussines
Copyright: BEF/Jon Stroud
.jpg "Thrilling Weekend Kickstarts the STX-UK Pony British Novice Championship Second Round")
