Jack Whitaker claims his first Hickstead International Arena win for 10 years in the Royal International Silver Salver
Saturday 29 July 2023
In a hard-fought, ultra-competitive jump-off, Jack Whitaker wrenched the Royal International Salver out of the grasp of his 13 jump-off rivals with an energised round on Equine America Valmy De La Lande at the Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead.
Jack’s motives – “To win!” – were clear from the offset.
“He’s been jumping really well, and I was really revved up for the big class on the first day, but I had a fence down – so that revved me up even more to try to do well today,” said Jack, 21. It’s my first win as a senior here, I last won a Children-on-Horses class around 10 years ago.”
The Brits had to settle for several second places earlier in the week but the British team’s magical Longines FEI Nations Cup win after a 13-year hiatus on Friday, it appeared the Brits were inspired and filled the top six places.
Forty-one riders tackled course-designer Kelvin Bywater’s first round 12-fence, 1.50m track with the penultimate double adjacent to the members bar causing some problems, but 14 returned for the jump-off.
Matt Sampson set a cracking target from first draw with James Davenport and Angelie von Essen’s Daniel, but such was the quality here, they dropped to an eventual fourth. Fifth-drawn Jack pulled off the quickest round of the class with the Mylord Carthago 14-year-old.
“He’s been my best horse for a few years now and has held my career together. He’s serious, and we know each other inside and out. He was good for me today – I had a few rogue shots in the jump-off, and he took off for me every time. He was on the ball,” said Jack, on angling fences at speed in the vast, beautifully green Longines International Arena. “I think I know him inside out but he’s a character, a bit of a fireball. He’s unbelievably careful and when he’s onside he’s unbeatable.”
The London Global Champions Tour is next on the agenda – “I hope to have the same results there,” – followed by Valkenswaard.
Will Edwards, second earlier in the week, again had to settle for the runner-up spot on SHW Candies B with Joe Stockdale claiming third aboard Ebanking. John Whitaker guided Sharid into fifth behind Matt Sampson and his nephew William Whitaker slotted Chacco’s Lando into sixth.
Tickets for the Longines Royal International Horse Show (25-30 July) are available at the gate or can be bought online from www.hickstead.co.uk. The action will be livestreamed throughout on ClipMyHorse.TV and Hickstead.TV, with additional coverage on Sky Sports and FEI.TV on and Sunday.
Image: Elli Birch Boots and Hooves Photography
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