Robert Whitaker takes the International Stairway Leg at CSI 3* Bolesworth International
Friday 13 June 2014
31 year-old Robert Whitaker from Sidcup, Kent with Mandy Hall and Clare Whitaker’s 13 year-old bay stallion USA Today took victory in the International Stairway held earlier this afternoon at the CSI 3* Bolesworth International at Tattenhall, Chester.
Sixty-two competitors came forward to contest this third leg of the International Stairway series and the 1.55m course was designed by International course designer Bob Ellis. Seventeen horse and rider combinations made it through to the jump off and only two combinations went on to jump double clears.
Robert and USA Today put in an incredible fast clear in the jump off to cross the finish line in 49.25 seconds to ensure the win was theirs.
London 2012 Olympic Team Gold medallist Nick Skelton OBE partnering Aristio an 8 year-old bay stallion owned by John Hales also put in a clear but was unable to catch Robert’s time stopping the clock in 55.90 seconds to take 2nd place..
The rest of the placing’s went to combinations that finished on 4 penalties. 27 year-old Irish rider Anthony Condon based in Shropshire was the fastest of these with George Harding’s 9 year-old bay mare Ashdale Luxara to take third.
Fourth went to Jay Halim from Gloucestershire with Goodman Equine Ltd’s 17 year-old bay gelding For Fun II who also picked up four faults in a time 50.93 seconds. Fifth went to James Hughes with his own 11 year-old bay stallion Peiter VI who stopped the clock in 50.98 seconds. Sixth went to Norway’s Geir Gulliksen with Stall Gullikk’s 11 year-old chestnut gelding Grand Balou 4 who crossed the finish line in 51.00 seconds.
Seventh and eighth was taken by William Funnell and Billy Angelo and Sweden’s Angelie Von Essen and Jordan II, who also incurred four faults in 54.19 seconds and 51.82 seconds respectively.
British Showjumping Business Partnership International Stairway
CSI 3* Bolesworth International – Friday 13th June 2014
1st Robert Whitaker & USA Today – 0/0 49.25 seconds
2nd Nick Skelton & Aristio – 0/0 55.90 seconds
3rd Antony Condon & Ashdale Luxara – 0/4 48.43 seconds
4th Jay Halim & For Fun II – 0/4 50.93 seconds
5th James Hughes & Peiter VI – 0/4 50.98 seconds
6th Geir Gulliksen & Grand Balou 4 – 0/4 51.00 seconds
7th William Funnell & Billy Angelo - 0/4 51.49 seconds
8th Angelie Von Essen & Jordan II –0/4 51.82 seconds
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