Friday 13th certainly wasn’t unlucky for the Yorkshire based Whitaker family in the first show jumping competition of the day. Robert Whitaker rode an outstanding clear round in the Zinc Management Stakes on Nureev Du Houssoit in a speedy time of 54.11 seconds. Following close on his heels was father John Whitaker who also rode a clear round on St. Honore’s Liquido in a time of 57.28 seconds. Third place went to Norway’s Gier Gulliksen riding Storm 16 in a time of 58.87 seconds.
Riders in The easibed Accumulator had the audience on the edge of their seats as corners were cut and speeds moved up a gear to win this competition. Yesterday’s winner of the Birmingham City Shield, Eric Van der Vleuton, took first place for the second time in this four-day event on Pitareusa with 65 points in a time of 45.82 seconds. Yorkshireman Paul Barker, riding Blue Chip Quinton, was hot on his tail with equal points in a fast round of 46.17 seconds – less than a second behind! Great favourites with the crowds, John Whitaker and Robert Smith, rode breath-taking rounds to take third and fourth place while other speedy riders such as Ellen Whitaker and Ben Maher rode a nail-biting round only to come unstuck at the strategically named ‘joker’ fence!
The Whitakers were then victorious again at the British Open Show Jumping Championships. This time it was seventeen-year-old William Whitaker’s turn to take first place in the BEF World Class Start & Potential Under 23 Classic. He rode a double clear on Insul Tech Leonardo 590 with the fastest jump-off time of 37.40 seconds. Anthony Condon followed closely in second place riding Killy Jones in a time of 38.53 seconds. Emma Shaw and Hannah Paul took third and forth place respectively both with a double clear.
In the last show jumping competition of the day, riders faced the second round of the British Open Show Jumping Championships. Nine riders went through to the jump-off and victory went to Ireland’s Jessica Kürten who took first place with the fastest clear in a time of 38.73 on Galopin de Bioley. Second place went to Belgium’s Kristof Cleeren riding Sea Coast Conan who went clear in a time of 39.19 seconds, followed by another Irish success with Billy Twomey on Anastasia III who went clear in 40.81 seconds.