Matt Sampson claims the ClipMyHorse.TV Young Horse Grand Prix with future star King Lepantino
Sunday 30 July 2023
Matt Sampson landed the ClipMyHorse.TV Young Horse Grand Prix with Cumberland Acres’ King Lepantino on the final day at the Royal International Horse Show on the famous Hickstead Showground.
“He’s an exciting one of the future; that’s the biggest he’s jumped and he just takes it all in his stride,” said Matt, who splits his time between North America and Europe and is spending a few months at his parents’ home base in Sheffield.
A quality field of 20 7 and 8-year-old young horses came forward into this Grand Prix from two qualifying rounds with 11 posting initial clears over a track standing at 1.40/1.45m to access the jump-off.
Drawn near the end, Matt took full advantage on this talented Arezzo VDL x Lors Z 8-year-old to win by 0.99 seconds, pushing Nicole Lockhead Anderson on Conthargo PS into second.
“I think I clinched it at the double, he’s so careful and scopey I knew I could trust him to back off the second part [of the double]. Any question I ask him, he gives everything in his mind and body to do it; he’s a clear round jumper with an amazing attitude.
“He’s an incredible horse I’ve produced since the beginning of his 7-year-old year,” added Matt, who was introduced to his owners by friend Kostadin Kalanov from Bulgaria.
Lepantino will now have an easier few weeks.
“It’s fantastic to have this class at a five-star show, you don’t get many opportunities like this to introduce young horses to this kind of arena; the first time can be daunting and overwhelming for them going in for the first time at five-star level. This gives them a chance to progress naturally, all credit to the Hickstead team for putting it on,” said Matt. “I’ll drop him down a level for a little while now and step him up again when we compete in another show like this – all for experience. He’s a future top grand prix horse waiting to gain more experience and come of age.”
Image: Elli Birch/Boots and Hooves Photography
