John Whitaker finished third in the 1.50m CSI 3* Eschweiler Grand Prix
Monday 20 April 2015
Yesterday saw Huddersfield based John Whitaker finish in third in the CSI 3* 1.50m Eschweiler Grand Prix held in Germany. John was partnering his new ride Team Harmony’s 10 year-old bay mare Ornellaia.
The class proved to be popular with 51 combinations coming forward to contest the class with everyone trying to take home the lion’s share of the €61,500 prize money on offer. With only four combinations putting in a first round clear, it was any of the four’s to take.
Home rider Vanessa Borgmann took the win partnering Come To Win 51 after producing one of the only three double clears of the class after crossing the finish line in 43.24 seconds. Closely followed by Swiss rider Chantal Muller on U Tabasca with just 0.48 seconds separating the two riders.
Third place went to John and Ornellaia after they produced the final double clear of the class in 46.38 seconds. Fourth place went to German rider Maximilian Weishaupt partnering Luke McDonald who picked up four faults in the jump off.
Results
1st Vanessa Borgmann & Come to Win 51 (GER) 0/0 43.24 seconds
2nd Chantal Muller & U Tabasaca (SUI) 0/0 43.72 seconds
3rd John Whitaker & Ornellaia (GBR) 0/0 46.38 seconds
4th Maximilian Weishaupt & Luke McDonald (GER) 0/4 44.27 seconds.