Rob Bevis and Courtney 6 scoop Arena UK £60,000 Major Final

Saturday 27 September 2014

It was Rob Bevis from Wrexham with the eye-catching and super talented grey Courtney 6 that secured the lion share of the £60,000 prize fund on offer in the Major Final at Arena UK near Grantham, Lincolnshire this evening.

In a competition that took over three hours to play out infront of the packed grandstands there were only eight horse and rider combinations that managed to jump clear in the first round.  The course which had been designed by Di Boddy was a tough one, and justifiably so when you consider the size of the prize fund and the fact that it was the largest prize fund to be offered within a national show.  With twists and turns and a time that forced riders to keep their horses moving forward it was always going to be a tough course to crack and the delight when each of the eight riders managed to conquer it was all to evident with the way they punched the air in delight at their triumph.

Coming forward as the first competitor in the jump off Rob set the standard by putting in an incredibly fast clear forcing others to try and catch his tail whilst leaving the fences standing.  Leading from the front it wasn’t until the 7th rider came forward in the form of Ellen Whitaker and Arena UK Lando that he looked like his lead may be under serious threat.  Having jumped clear and turning as tight as she dare, Ellen had looked like she may have been up on time but pushing to the last and with everyone staring at the clock to see whether she had managed it you couldn’t help but share her despair when the last fence fell dashing her chances and relegating her into 6th place.

The jump off field had most certainly been a strong one with Joe Whitaker and Lola V taking 2nd place and John Whitaker and Argento slotting into 3rd; both having jumped clear but just fractionally slower.  19 year-old Chloe Winchester and Avoca Valkyrie would have been pleased with their 4th place finish just ahead of this years British Masters winner David Hughes and Global Van’t Braunerthof. 

Guy Williams with Di & Pennie Cornish’s bay Basic, whom he has only been partnering for the past three weeks, were unlucky to lower a fence in the jump off which saw them finish just behind Ellen and in 7th place with Antonio Marinas Soto and Cash & Go taking 8th place.

In acknowledgement of Rob’s success, fellow competitor Geoff Billington commented “Rob is a great rider and Courtney 6 a fast horse that he knows how to ride.  They just click together and are a great partnership which we've seen this evening”.  He definitely wouldn’t be wrong, their performance looked effortless this evening and to lead from the front with such a strong field behind him only serves testament to the accolade given to him.

The action this evening had been broadcast live on Horse & Country TV (Sky 253) giving viewers all over the country to watch the action first hand as it happened. Arena UK, one of the country's premier venues certainly did themselves proud with some brilliant action from what has proved to be an exceptonal show.  The show started on Wedneday and finishes at 5pm tomorrow and has seen some of the world's most talented riders come forward for a total prize pot across the show of almost £200,000.

Lauren Humphries co-proprietor and show organiser said earlier in the week "We are really excited about the show this week. We have some great riders here and the support has been fantastic.  In particular I would also like to acknowledge our thanks to Graham Heath Equestrian and Andrews Bowen Ltd who have assisted us to put on a show of this calibre". 

RESULTS
1st         Rob Bevis – Courtney 6
2nd        Joe Whitakaker – Lola V
3rd         John Whitaker – Argento
4th         Chloe Winchester – Avoca Valkyrie
5th         David Hughes – Global Van’t Braunerthof
6th         Ellen Whitaker – Arena UK Lando
7th         Guy Williams – Basic
8th         Antonio Marinas Soto – Cash & Go

 
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