Yorkshireman Robert Whitaker is top of the current British Open Championship leader board after today’s third round. Robert finished fourth on Casino in the penultimate round but it was enough to keep him in poll position pulling ahead of his cousin Ellen, who now lies four points behind him. Tomorrow the top twenty riders on the leader board will go through to the final with Robert’s points advantage being carried forward. With a jump in hand on his competitors, it is looking increasingly likely that Robert will break his own record and become the only rider to have won the title four times with three of them being in consecutive years.
It was also a good day for the foreign riders. Dutch rider Eric Van Der Vleuten rode VDL Groep Kaid to victory in the Championship’s third round. Eric’s impressive clear in 56.78 seconds beat German rider Daniel Deusser riding Hooligan De Rosyl who also jumped clear in a time of 58.40 seconds. Third place went to New Zealand rider, Samantha Mcintosh who rode her super quick mare Loxley 38 clear in 60.37 seconds.
The Accumulator was the usual exciting mix of drama and speed with Guy Williams riding a masterful round on the in-form Torinto Van de Middelstede who had already been placed second in the British Showjumping Winter Premier Grand Prix earlier in the day. This careful horse has a legion of fans, including its own Facebook page! He is Guy’s top campaigner at the moment, consistently fast and careful, Torinto and Guy are definitely ones to watch this season. After Guy, Dermott Lennon finished in second for Ireland, jumping a lovely clear but could not beat Guy’s exceptional time of 46.49 seconds. The Accumulator is always thrilling and today was no different with several of the favourites falling foul of the Joker fence, including Robert and Ellen Whitaker.
The British Showjumping Winter Premier Grand Prix got day three off to a great start with William Whitaker taking the honours with Sarlino. William is a London 2012 prospect and seeing him in action this afternoon was a real treat for the British Open crowd. With 11 through to the jump-off, the title was there for the taking and a fast but accurate double clear was essential. Scott Brash was an early leader after his text book clear with the lovely Intertoy Z but the time proved beatable and Scott finished fourth overall. Speed specialist, Paul Barker put in a valiant effort to challenge the title but was relegated to third by Guy Williams, they finished on 41.15 seconds and 41.12 seconds respectively, it doesn’t get much closer than that!
The British Showjumping Business Partnership Winter Grade C saw Robert Bevis and U-Kitty win with an impressive clear in the fastest time of 35.68 seconds. Simon Crippen and the chestnut stallion Voss finished second with a double clear and a time of 36.02 seconds. Simon was followed by Andrew Davies riding Vijlada Mw, in third, in 38.03 seconds.
Finally, the highlight of Friday’s performance was the crowd favourite Puissance class. Show jumping’s golden girl Ellen Whitaker and cousin William returned to defend their 2009 Puissance title. However, Ellen and the fresh and feisty Ladina B slid a brick in round three while William’s two rides Cyber Space and Leonardo made it to the fourth and final round but failed to stand up to tonight’s test. Both Anthony Condon and Wilm Vermeir cleared to go through to the final round, however, it was Mark Bunting riding Le Marquind who was the only combination to leave the 7ft wall standing in place to claim first prize.
For more information and full results click here.