Jack Whitaker wins the Voltaire Design Under 25 British Championship Qualifier at Aintree Equestrian Centre
Tuesday 15 October 2019
The first Voltaire Design Under 25 British Championship Qualifier took place on Friday evening and it was incorporated into the Andrews Bowen National 1.40m Open during the Winter Classic Show at Aintree Equestrian Centre in Liverpool.
The qualifier saw the four highest placed riders, disregarding those already qualified, gain a qualifying ticket for the Voltaire Design Under 25 British Championship at Olympia, The London International Horse Show which takes place between the 16th – 22nd December 2019.
Eighteen year-old Jack Whitaker from Whatton, Nottinghamshire, who was placed equal second overall, picked up the prize for the highest placed under 25 rider with his father Michael Whitaker’s El Wee Widge, a 10 year-old British bred gelding. The pair produced a solid double clear in 36.30 seconds. As Jack had been a member of the Junior European Championship Team in Zuidwolde, The Netherlands in the summer he has already been awarded a qualification place for the Championship, therefore moving it down the line on this occasion.
Charlie Jones from Lutterworth, Leicestershire steered Ardencote Stud’s 8 year-old Dutch bred Arko sired gelding Gerko III into fourth place overall with a double clear in 37.78 seconds which gained him the second highest placed rider Under 25 slot and took the first available ticket on offer. Charlie was also placed sixth on Ardencote Stud’s Dexter XI. However the qualification passed down the line as riders can only take forward one horse to the Championships.
Millie Allen from Stockton-On-Tees, Cleveland, placed fifth overall and took the second qualifying ticket for the Under 25’s with Peter Allen’s Catara 4, a 12 year-old Dutch bred mare. They finished with a double clear in 39.03 seconds. Chloe Reynolds from Bridgwater, Somerset took the third qualifying spot with Jane Reynolds’ Grenadier Volo, an 8 year-old Dutch bred gelding. They finished in seventh place overall with a jump off score of four faults in a time of 35.57 seconds. Joe Trickett from Telford, Shropshire was the recipient of the fourth qualification spot with Sarah Trickett’s 13 year-old Belgian bred gelding One Two Watch II. They finished with a score of four faults in the first round.
NB: Qualifications will be updated pending official grading of results
Image: Jack Whitaker and El Wee Widge [Credit: Majestic Photography]
Voltaire Design:
Established in 2010 Voltaire Design has become the leading French manufacturer of high performance sports saddles. Handmade in France using the finest French leather, Voltaire Design saddles have become renowned for their innovation, comfort and the ability to fully customise each saddle to the horse and rider
Voltaire Design produce saddles for the forward thinking rider who demands style and substance, while prioritising freedom of movement for the horse, together with elegance, durability and customer service.
Voltaire Design combine comfort and performance for the horse and rider, alongside innovative design to produce saddles that enable every rider to fulfil their potential. For more information, visit www.voltairedesign.com.
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