Guy Williams and Robert Whitaker make their presence felt at CSI 4* Royal Windsor
Friday 13 May 2016
There was something for everyone at today's Royal Windsor Horse Show, with a Royal victory in the showing ring and the debut of International 4* show jumping bringing the sporting action to new heights.
Guy Williams, renowned for being quick against the clock, set the early pace as third to go in the first International 4* competition of the Show, the Manama Speed Stakes, with an immaculate clear in a time of 26.94 seconds.
Those that followed tried in vain to catch Guy at the top of the order, who went away eventual winner aboard the fourteen-year-old chestnut gelding Casper De Muze. The penultimate rider, USA’s Laura Kraut looked to put Guy’s lead in jeopardy, making all the turns and galloping to the last, creating excitement amongst the packed grandstand, however her time of 27.23 was only good enough for second place.
n third was Joe Davison, son of former Royal Windsor Horse Show Dressage winner Richard Davison, who jumped the two phase track clear in 27.79 aboard Team Harmony’s bay gelding Vennoot.
The feature event of the day, the Bahrain Pearl Stakes, saw a global field of 35 world class riders contesting the £7,500 first prize, reflecting the upgraded status of the show to 4* level.
Great Britain’s Tim Stockdale was the first to jump clear in the 17 horse jump-off with Marjorie and Clark Glasgow’s bay mare Fleur de L’Aube, setting a time of 41.06 seconds. However it was double Olympic gold medallist Beezie Madden who threw down the gauntlet, knocking over five seconds off Tim’s time, stopping the clock in an impressive 36 seconds.
The twisty course caused a few problems for those trying to chase the leaders, but home favourite John Whitaker pulled out all the stops jumping clear in 33.62 aboard the stunning stallion Argento to take the lead much to the delight of the Windsor crowd. But, just when it looked like John had the class wrapped up, it was son Robert, riding Clare Whitaker and Mandy Hall’s gelding Catwalk IV, who had the final say posting an impressive clear in 32.44 to take the well-deserved victory.
Tickets are still available for Saturday and Sunday and can be purchased on www.rwhs.co.uk, via the box office on 0844 581 4960 from the UK and +44 (0) 121 796 6290 internationally. Alternatively tickets are available locally at Windsor Information Centre either over the counter or by telephoning +44 (0) 1753 743900.
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