James Smith and Arkuga claim the top spot in the CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix in Vilamoura
Sunday 06 November 2022
James Smith from Kirkcudbrightshire took the win in the CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix in Vilamoura, Portugal this weekend with Laura Renwick’s Arkuga, an 11 year-old bay gelding by Arko II whom James only started competing in October.
48 combinations took part in yesterday afternoon’s Grand Prix held during the fourth week of the 2022 Vilamoura Champions Tour. 15 of the initial starters jumped clear around the 1.50m first round track and five went on to keep a clean sheet in the jump-off.
James and Arkuga, posted the fastest round of the class stopping the clock in 34.62 seconds. USA’s Cathleen Driscoll took the runners up place with Arome, the pair finished 0.72 seconds slower than James with a time of 35.34 seconds. Just a fraction behind that time was Great Britain’s Joe Whitaker. He piloted Jessica Crane’s 10 year-old chestnut gelding Hulahupe JR into third posting a time of 35.60 seconds. Carmen Edwards riding Happy Valerie and Oliver Fletcher riding Hello William also flew the flag for Great Britain and rounded out the top ten, finishing in seventh and ninth place respectively.
For full results please visit: https://online.equipe.com/pt/class_sections/761294.
Image: VillaMoura Tours
