Horse of the Year Show International Wild Card qualifier, Incorporating the National Speed Horse Final
Saturday 13 August 2016
Things were ‘hotting up’ in Champoinship Arena 1 for the last class of the day, the second leg of the HOYS Wild Card Series which incorporated the National Speed Horse Final, promising edge of your seat action as the top riders jump against the clock over a 1.45m track. Speed was high on the agenda but for some it came at a price with several riders picking up 4 jump faults. As Matthew Sampson came in to the arena with 13 year old Perfect Rouge, there was a sheer look of determination on his face. On landing from fence one, Matthew cut inside the turn to fence two, a brave move that very few riders had attempted. Their partnership was evident as Matthew and Perfect Rouge came down from fence four to fence five; they took off a stride early and flew over fence five perfectly in sync. As the last competitors came in for their round became more and more evident that Matthew and Perfect Rouge’s time of 60.88 was not going to be beaten. Matthew was thrilled when he was announced as the winner, 2.2 seconds quicker than second place Tim Stockdale, at 63.08 seconds, riding Erasmus VD Heffinck.
“I have had him [Perfect Raige] since February, I actually bought him when I was away in Spain on the Sunshine Tour – I came back with one more horse than I went with! He loves the speed classes, he is in his element!”
The pair are entered into tomorrow’s HOYS Wild Card Qualifier, which incorporates the British Showjumping Business Partnership International Stairway Final.
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