Mark Edwards soars to victory in the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championships CSI2* Grand Prix
Monday 21 August 2023
.jpg "Mark Edwards soars to victory in the Al Shira’aa Bolesworth Young Horse Championships CSI2* Grand Prix")
Pressure built in a tense, exhilarating jump-off to decide the eVet Drug 2* 1.45m Grand Prix at Bolesworth International but super-cool Welshman Mark Edwards used his final round to scoop victory in a masterclass of jump-off riding on Marlene Edwards’ Flying Tinker II.
“It is always special to win any Grand Prix but to win an international Grand Prix on home soil is even more special,” said Mark, who had fired a warning shot across the bows early on, securing a commanding victory by an impressive 2.65 seconds in the 92-strong 2* 1.40m two-phase to qualify for the Grand Prix on this consistent 12-year-old.
A tough track of 13 fences set by course-designer Raf Suarez asked a variety of questions and, coupled with a tight time allowed, the poles dropped everywhere. A clear could not be found in the first half of round one amongst the 60 riders, but after the break Jennifer Billington, 19, proved foot perfect on Flipper Darco UK Z to get the ball rolling. Four clears were eventually found and, with 25% (15 riders) going forward into the jump-off – 11 of them carrying their faults – returned for round two.
A couple of round-one four-faulters posted clears in the jump-off to take a brief lead but John Whitaker, on two time-faults with new ride Donna Pascale, made no mistake with the clock second time out to claim the lead. He was beaten in turn by Chloe Winchester, also on two faults with Jupiter, but she had to relinquish her lead immediately to British-based Irishman Billy Twomey. He jumped for a single time fault in round one and posted a second round tactical clear with recent new ride Diego Del Caribe.
Jennifer outdid them all on the Flipper D’Elle x Darco 12-year-old Flipper Darco – who is blind in one eye – to supply the first double clear. She stayed ahead when both Carmen Edwards on the Verdi 11-year-old Happy Valerie – winner of this Grand Prix 12 months ago – and Chris Smith aboard the 8-year-old Messarado Blue hit a rail apiece to drop down the order. It all depended on flying Welshman Mark Edwards with the home-bred Tinkers Tale 12-year-old gelding he later sold to Marlene Edwards.
In typical style, the pair approached the fences with gusto – there was never any doubt they would chase the clock – and shaved every turn possible, flying to the final oxer with a flourish of heels to wrench victory with 1.37 seconds to spare.
“It was a real tight time allowed in the first round but I enjoy going at a good speed so that didn’t worry me, and he’s been in good form recently, he turns and jumps and makes my life easy,” assessed Mark, who was the first to see this consistent home-bred winner make his entry into the world. “I went to check on the mare and there he was, a few weeks early – he was a great surprise then and he’s been a superstar ever since. Marlene bought him a few years ago and kept us in a position where we know I’ve got the ride, can have great fun, and win as many classes as we can. We’ve got a very good string and in a great position and that is thanks to my owners and sponsors – long may it last.”
Mark certainly didn’t rest on his laurels and shot off to take two of the top three places in the concluding 63-strong 1* 1.15m two-phase in the Castle Ring. He won with Amber Bundock’s Jafabalou by 1.01 seconds and claimed third aboard the Clintons Heart x Contendro I 7-year-old stallion Casque D’Or – winner of the opening day’s 1* 1.25m two-phase with 0.42 seconds in hand.
Another win for Mark came in the form of Vicky Gillard’s 10-year-old mare Ede Peasy (Edward x Gletscher) as the pair triumphed in the 2* 1.35m two-phase, beating 52 rivals by almost three sec.
More wins fell Mark’s way as Amber’s 11-year-old Gaetano Musterd (Darco For Pleasure) doubled up, topping two 1* 1.15m classes, the first outpacing their 50 rivals by 1.27 seconds and taking the 58-strong other in an eight-horse decider by 2.96 seconds.
Mark’s phenomenal form in 2023 has not gone unnoticed.
“He’s absolutely a top rider, his results this year have been unbelievable. He rides with confidence, loves to win and is almost unbeatable at the moment and he has a really competitive horse,” said John Whitaker, an eventual fifth in the Grand Prix on new ride Donna Pascale – “The time was too tight for us, but I’m pleased with her, she’s still a bit green at the moment.”
Philip Spivey claimed the 2* 1.40m two-phase in a battle against 78 riders on the 10-year-old Cevin Z daughter Billy Pearl, pushing early leader George Whitaker and Zirocca Zoom into second place by just 0.12 seconds.
A fast, early round in the 13-horse decider of the 2* 1.35m by Ruby Barrs, 16, on the Inshallah De Muze 11-year-old Manzana De Rigo held on to the top spot by only 0.09 seconds despite some serious challenges.
Emily Ward jumped to the top in the final day’s 2* 1.35m two-phase, outpacing her 54 rivals by 0.46 seconds on her long-term campaigner, the 16-year-old Millioninmind (Douglas x Gildawn Diamond).
Image: 1st Class Images
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