Matt Sampson Scoops Accenture Young Show Jumper of the Year
Saturday 19 December 2009
Matt Sampson raised his hat in triumph as he came through the finish flags of the Accenture Young Show Jumper of the Year, knowing that his outstanding performance in the nine-horse jump-off was going to be impossible for the final rider – ironically, his girlfriend Jessie Drea – to beat.
“I knew the turns would be key and I really trust this horse,” said Matt, 19, of his ride, Rush On M, a new ride for Matt which was produced by Sophie Ryan. “He’s fast and he’s really come on over the last six months. There is normally one place where you think you can gain time but Joe left nothing, I thought I've just got to risk everything and go for it, fortunately it paid off!
“We’re all best friends socially but when it gets to the ring, it’s got to be serious! I couldn't be happier, I couldn't have asked for more, Rush On M is a great horse he tries so hard every time he goes in the ring”.
A member of this year’s Young Rider European squad, Matt is also a member of the World Class Development Squad which is Lottery funded via UK Sport and seeks to identify and develop riders who have shown the potential to reach the world stage. The Programme underpins World Class Performance and, together with the Equine Pathway, they comprise the Equestrian World Class Programme. It incorporates the three Olympic sports of Dressage, Eventing, Show Jumping and the Paralympic sport of Para-Equestrian Dressage
It’s been 10 years since a member of the Whitaker family – Robert, in 1999 – lifted this prestigious class founded by the late Dorian Williams, and Joe Clayton, a cousin of George, Joe and Thomas Whitaker, who all failed to get into the jump-off, came closest, finishing just 0.26sec behind Matt.
The European Junior Champion Carian Scudamore, at 16 one of the youngest in the class, put up a spirited challenge on the cat-like Angel ll to take third place.