Saturday 18 April 2009
In the most important show jumping class of the day riders faced the second round of the British Open Show Jumping Championship. Only four riders went through to the jump-off and victory went to Roelof Bril from the Netherlands, riding Calover. Roelof took a risk at the last fence to make a fast time of 37.69 seconds. Second place went to Brit, Ellen Whitaker riding Ocolado who went clear in a time of 38.33 seconds, followed by another Whitaker success with reigning Champion Robert on Lacroix 9 who went clear in 39.28 seconds.
With the top twenty riders going through to Sunday’s final, they will start to feel the pressure during Saturday's third round to ensure they make it through. Robert currently holds the top spot on the leaderboard with 1.5 points, four points ahead of 2nd place Roelof Bril. Only ½ point behind Roelof in joint third place lies 2005 and 2006 Champion Robert Smith together with French rider Kevin Staut.
The Grandstand Classic resulted in another win for Great Britain with Laura Renwick and the fantastic Limelight de Breve. This horse is a consistent campaigner for Laura and a clear round in a super quick time put her just in front of Jean-Marc Nicolas putting the pressure on with his ride Ami Van’t Geyzeven a lovely gelding by Orlando. There were seven clear rounds in this class, one of whom was William Whitaker finishing a credible 7th.
In the BEF World Class Development Programme Championship, Ellen continued showing top form by winning the class on CS Online with a double clear in 40.30 seconds. This was an extra special win for Ellen as it was her last opportunity to win the Under 23 BEF Championship which she has been unfortunate not to claim in the past. Tim Gredley also rode a classic double clear in 42.78 seconds on Valente for second place. Third went to Lucy Guild on Titi D’Oase who was the only other rider to go clear in both rounds.
Finally, the highlight of Friday’s performance was the crowd favourite Puissance class. Three riders made it to the fifth round, Derek Morton, Ellen and then William Whitaker on two rides, to challenge the apposing 7foot 2 ½ inches wall. William went first riding Cyber Space and soared over with great style. Next was Ellen who was equally stylish in her execution of clearing the wall meaning her and William would tie 1st. However, Derek was still in contention to join them. Sadly it wasn’t to be as his ride Teddy Bear slid a brick out from the wall. There was more drama to come as William entered with his second ride Leonardo. Together they masterfully jumped the wall clear making the final result a joint win for William, on both Cyber Space and Leonardo, and Ellen on Ladina B. The cousins were overjoyed with the result and the crowd celebrated with rapturous applause for the elated riders.
