Sandy McLean claims an early Christmas present with a Winter Grand Prix victory at Hartpury University’s Winter Classic
Sunday 24 December 2023
.JPG "Sandy McLean claims an early Christmas present with a Winter Grand Prix victory at Hartpury University’s Winter Classic")
Christmas came early for Sandy McLean as he claimed victory in the Winter Grand Prix with Jemma and Johnny Williams’ Zoey 12 at Hartpury University’s Winter Classic show in Gloucestershire. The pair, second only to Sandy’s top ride Gino F in Northcote Stud’s Winter Grand Prix, went one better here.
“I’m very impressed with her, she’s been knocking on the door for a big win recently and this is a lovely win for the owners right before Christmas,” said Sandy on the Quality 9 x Concetto mare he started riding five months ago.
Eleven of the 28 solved all the problems set by course-designer Krissy Spiller and Paul Connor in their 13-fence track which started at a height of 1.40m with Ronnie Lee Jones touting two rides in the jump-off. However, Sandy – who won the London International Horse Show Under 25 Final with top horse Gino F – maintained his form to maximise on his penultimate draw with Zoey and galloped into the top spot by 1.29 seconds.
“I’m finding the right buttons with her now, she’s going to be an exciting, fun one for next year,” added Lasswade, Scotland-based Sandy.
Alexander Bragg slipped Heggleland Houston into second ahead of Sasha Erander aboard Godies in third.
James Winter scored a victory double with Que Bueno with Winter 1.35m and Blue Chip Dynamic B and C wins.
James comfortably secured victory in the Blue Chip Dynamic B and C. Nine of the original 20 starters qualified for the jump-off with James and the German-bred seven-year-old mare Que Bueno taking a 2.47 seconds win from the grade C section. Phoebe Bolton jumped the Grade B Ficus into second and Louisa Lockwood’s Itareuso from the grade C section finished third.
The on-form pair of James and Que Bueno followed up in the Winter 1.35m, commandingly claiming the win with the sole double clear in the four-horse decider. Adam Ellery was more than nine seconds quicker but a crucial rail hit the floor to drop F Kwanah IS to second with Gemma Ellison filling third aboard Cynthia Flint.
The results were reversed in the Winter Grade C qualifier and Adam was in charge. Six of the 17 starters returned for round two against the clock, Adam flying into the top spot on the Filesco x Coronas six-year-old Maylesco WS by an impressive 6.48 seconds. James opted for accuracy to slot Tudor Lough into second with the only other double clears and Sandy’s fast four faults on SES Jumeirah earned third place.
Adam was another to score a double, notching up another win in the Blue Chip Karma Performance on the six-year-old Mc Gregor TN (Berlin x Heartbreaker). Only three of the 13 initial competitors came forward in the jump-off, Adam supplying the sole double clear to win.
Leo Lamb claimed a half a second victory in the 13-horse decider of the winter 1.25m to grab the top Blue Chip Championships qualifying spot on the 11-year-old Marieke VDR (Horion De Libersart x Drossan).
“My girlfriend Aimee Nials has been jumping her at 1.10m and kindly let he have a back for few shows, said Leo. “She will want her back soon and as she’s top groom and a key part of the team, I’d better let her!”
Nicola Hill slipped Kilrodan Sailorette into second with Saffron Cresswell hot on her heels for third on Saucy Contender.
NB: Results pending official grading.
Image: courtesy Jasmine Punter Photography
1inbbkeu36fgo.jpg "Zara Nicholls Races to Top Spot in the STX-UK Pony British Novice Second Round at Weston Lawns")
.jpg "Marcella Johnstone and Will Brown Reach for the Stars in the second NAF Five Star Bronze and Silver League Qualifiers")
7y6b55koibbj.jpg "Brian Thompson and Alex Hewett are winners in the Nupafeed Supplements Senior Discovery Second Rounds")
