Nick Skelton tops the field at the 53rd Washington International Horse Show

 

 Nick Skelton from Alcester in Warwickshire has been competing at the 53^rd Washington International Horse Show in America last week.

 

Partnering the ten year old bay mare Unique XVIII owned by Beverley Widdowson, Nick picked up third place in the Top Score competition on Thursday. Friday saw a win for Nick and Unique XVIII when they were the only combination to clear seven foot (2.13m) in the puissance.

 

But once again it was the talented ten year old grey gelding Carlo also owned by Beverley Widdowson who helped Nick to Individual Bronze at the Europeans last month that came out on top.

 

Having been announced as the best International Combination of the Year at the British Showjumping Awards on Friday Night Nick and Carlo did not disappoint in the 1.60m Grand Prix on Saturday. Jumping one of only four clears in the first round they were last to go in the jump off and the only combination to jump clear again picking up just two time faults to take the win.

For their victory, Nick and Carlo were presented with the President of the United States Perpetual Cup. Nick also won the Leading Jumper Rider picking up a Rolex watch and was named the Leading International Rider of the show.

Fellow British rider Scott Brash from Peeblesshire in Scotland also picked up several results through out the week finishing sixth in the Grand Prix. Scott was partnering Elizabeth Mctaggart’s ten year old brown gelding Bon Ami II and had just one fence down in round one.

 

2^nd Brianne Goutal riding Nice de Prissey – 0/4 in 43.00 seconds

3^rd Lucy Davies riding Nemo 199 – 0/8 in 39.74 seconds

4^th Margie Engle riding Indigo – 0/8 in 40.41 seconds

5^th Richie Moloney riding Slieveanorra – 4 faults

7^th Laura Kraut riding Teirra – 4 faults