Spectators bring the house down as John Whitaker scores a win in the HOYS Six-Bar
Sunday 08 October 2023
The Horse of the Year Show crowd raised the roof with delight as their hero John Whitaker claimed victory in the Thistledown Investments Six-Bar, sharing the honours with Shane Breen, both clearing 1.85m (6ft 1in).
“It’s a fantastic feeling to get such an unbelievable reception but I don’t think it’s anything I do in there, it’s just that I’ve been around for so long,” said John. “The only trouble is, it does wind Sharid up; some rise to the occasion but he gets wound up – wound him up just enough today, though!”
“But you have enough experience to settle him,” countered Shane. “It’s an honour to ride with John. We had an option to share in the last round but I said to John, ‘Why don’t we go in for the craic.’ With a full house and both of us jumped clear, the crowd loved to see us having a go.”
Sixteen riders came forward in this five-round six-vertical test, only the clears advancing into the next round. Only two remained in the fifth and final round, the final vertical of four now standing at a lofty 1.85m (6ft 1in).
Shane made it look effortless on the Commissaro 9-year-old Cato Boy as he cleared each element. It was down to John to uphold the crowd’s faith. And he did it in spades, quietly giving Sharid confidence as the Toulon 14-year-old flicked his heels away at each fence to also come home clear – much to the tumultuous cheering from the spectators.
“He was fresh the first day, jumped good the second day and I know he’s good in a six-bar so I thought I’d do that,” said John.
It was Cato Boy’s first six-bar.
“I popped him down a four-fence line at home and he did it lovely – it’s exciting,” said Shane.
Shane doubled up in the Speed Horse of the Year. Smooth, cool and deceptively quick, Hickstead-based Irishman Shane secured the win in the Speed Horse of the Year with the home-bred 10-year-old Scarteen (Cardento x Chellano Z). He beat his 30 rivals in the Table C 1.45m speed (three seconds added for a knockdown) with 0.45 seconds to spare.
“He’s super-consistent, can jump Grand Prix and he’s incredible for a class like this as he’ so naturally quick,” said Shane.
British riders filled the next two places, with Jodie Hall-Mcateer filling second place on the Kannan 11-year-old Catoki and Paul Barker in third with his 11-year-old Luidam stallion Green Grass.
HOYS, NEC, Birmingham - Sunday, 8th October 2023
Thistledown Investments Six-Bar
1st eq, John Whitaker (GBR) & Sharid – 0/0/0/0/0
1st eq, Shane Breen (IRE) & Cato Boy – 0/0/0/0/0
3rd eq, William Whitaker (GBR) & Flamboyant III – 0/0/0/4
3rd eq, William Funnell (IRE) & Dublon – 0/0/0/4
3rd eq, David Simpson (IRE) & Flashback VL – 0/0/0/4
Speed Horse of the Year
1st Shane Breen (IRE) & Scarteen – 0 - 52.33 seconds
2nd Jodie Hall-McAteer (GBR) & Catoki – 0 - 52.78 seconds
3rd Paul Barker & Green Grass (GBR) – 0 - 53.09 seconds
Image: 1st Class Images
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