Max Routledge takes the top spot in the Winter Grand Prix at Hartpury University
Monday 16 December 2019
Max Routledge from Godalming, Surrey made his journey to Gloucestershire worthwhile one when he took the spoils in the Winter Grand Prix during the Winter Classic Show at Hartpury University on Sunday with Mandy Hall’s Ebriolita.
A solid field of forty-three competitors stepped up to take on Course Designer Krissy Speller’s 1.40m track. The challenging track sorted the wheat from the chaff as twelve made it through to the second round and only four went on to produce double clears.
Max made good use of the 10 year-old Dutch bred Ebriolita’s small frame to nip ahead of his closest rival. The pair produced the fastest of the double clear to take home the honours with a time of 37.04 seconds.
William Fletcher was next on the leaderboard with Graham Fletcher’s Persimmon, a 13 year-old former event horse. They produced another double clear, this time crossing the finish line in 38.32 seconds.
Just 0.02 of a second separated second and third place with Julie Andrews taking the latter. She steered her own Ayrton IV, a 14 year-old Dutch bred gelding to a double clear in 38.34 seconds.
Hartpury University Winter Classic Show – Sunday 15th December 2019
Winter Grand Prix Results
1st Max Routledge & Ebriolota – 0/0 – 37.04 seconds
2nd William Fletcher & Persimmon – 0/0 – 38.32 seconds
3rd Julie Andrews & Ayrton II – 0/0 – 38.34 seconds
Image: Max Routledge receives his award after winning the Winter Grand Prix at Hartpury Winter Classic Show with Ebriolita [Credit: Sarah Radford]
