Michael Whitaker and Scott Brash take 2nd and 3rd in s’Hertogenbosch
Sunday 15 March 2015
Today’s Rolex Grand Prix in s’Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, saw some tremendous jumping with sixteen of a forty strong field jumping clear in the first round and half of them jumping clear again in the jump off.
With the enormous €350,000 prize fund at stake, the jump off saw some incredibly tight turns and fast riding played out in the area. The crowds certainly showed their appreciation of the sportsmanship with them cheering and whistling home the riders, no more so than they did for Daniel Deusser (GER), last to go, who claimed victory in a time of 33.79 seconds with Cornet d’Amour.
Michael Whitaker and his wife’s (Melissa) 13 year-old chestnut gelding Viking V, had up until then held the lead since early on with their finish time of 34.97 seconds. As he galloped over the finish line it had looked like he couldn’t be beaten and even World No.1 rider Scott Brash and Hello Sanctos, the 13 year-old bay gelding owned by Lady Kirkham and Lord & Lady Harris, hadn’t managed to catch him stopping the clock in 35.15 seconds.
Talking afterwards Michael commented “I always had a bad feeling about Daniel being last to go. His did an unbelievable turn into the third last fence and that is where he did it. It was a top round - I can’t complain”. About his third place finish Scott said “My horse jumped fantastic today and I was really pleased with him. I didn’t actually think Michael could be beaten – but Daniel did an amazing round. It was top sport today”.
For full results http://results.scgvisual.com/2015/denbosch/r8.html
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.jpg "Great Britain’s Team Audevard finish fourth in the 5* Nations Cup of La Baule")
