British legend John Whitaker shines in Rome with victory in the Loro Piana Six Bar
Saturday 27 May 2023
In a truly entertaining conclusion to the third day of competition at Piazza di Siena, Rome, British legend John Whitaker and Italy's Emilio Bicocchi shared the honours in the Loro Piana six-bar challenge.
From the outset this was no walk-in-the-park, with the final fence already standing at 1.60m in the first round and raised significantly in every subsequent round.
By the time it came to the third jump-off with four big fences still to be tackled there were just three left to battle it out over a massive 1.95m. Emilio produced another stunning performance from the 13-year-old stallion Flinton, who still didn’t look under any great pressure.
The last fence came down for Switzerland’s Alain Jufer and Kosimo MM but, last into the ring, John crossed the line with a big smile when his 13-year-old stallion Green Grass soared over the colossal final pole without flinching.
It might have come down to a two-way face-off between Italy and Great Britain over a new height of 2.05m, but the two riders wisely decided to share the win instead, more than happy with the performances they had produced from their brave steeds.
John's horse was a six-bar first-timer. “He’s normally ridden by Paul Barker who bred him, I just borrow him sometimes!”
He was really pleased with how Green Grass rose to the occasion tonight - literally.
“He’s really brave, he just took it on! It’s his first six-bar and he’s never jumped anything near that height! Paul jumps him in national 1.45m or 1.50m classes and he’s competitive. I just jumped him for experience in the first two rounds and he felt so good the third time I thought I’d go again. He’s very game!” said John 67, who is himself a true legend in the sport.
Admired all around the world he had the crowd right behind him tonight. Asked what it felt like to be called “Il grande (the great) John Whitaker” every time he comes into the ring at Piazza di Siena, he smiled and said, “It’s actually very nice, I like it!”
“Flinton has been with me for more than four years and he has a great heart!” said 46-year-old Emilio, who has represented Italy in two World Championships during his successful career. “This was his first six-bar - we thought we would try to see what he could do and we made the right decision.”
Matt Sampson was only 0.16 seconds off a win in the 5* 1.45m speed and had to settle for second place on Isabel Fox’s MGH Candy Girl.
Fifty competitors came forward in this world ranking speed class with British-based Jessica Burke riding for Ireland claiming the top spot with Louisa Church's 10-yearr-old Inpulss.
Matt chased hard on the Sligo Candy Boy 10-year-old to take the runner-up spot.
Image credit: Sport e Salute/Simone Ferraro
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