British Open Show Jumping Championships Blog

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.

Earlier today I rode Rooney IV in the Accumulator, we finished 7^th just behind my dad, John, I then took him to the Parelli Zone to take part in another demonstration. He was feeling good and I hope the techniques are going to help him to feel more relaxed especially when we are competing at big occasions like these. It’s the Puissance later this evening, I’m not riding this time, but will be watching to see how my cousins William and Ellen get on.

I’ve just finished 4^th in the third leg of the Championship. It was another speed class and I rode Casino who jumped a super clear, but unfortunately I wasn’t fast enough to beat Eric Van Der Vleuten, Daniel Dusser and Samantha Macintosh. I’m lucky that I still lie in first place going into the final tomorrow. We will jump in reverse order so being one of the last to go will give me a real advantage, I think, I also have a jump in hand. I will be riding USA Today, he’s had a day off today so I hope he’ll be feeling fresh ready for the challenge ahead. It’s exciting and I have my fingers crossed although anything could happen – any of the riders who are lying in the top seven could be in contention for winning the championship.

Robert Whitaker continued his successful campaign to regain the British Open title by claiming third place on new ride USA Today in today’s second leg of the Championship race. However, he now ties with his cousin Ellen on the top of the leader board as she produced a foot perfect double clear to snatch first place in the second leg from Robert and German rider Daniel Deusser, who was her closest rival, on her Horse of the Year Show Champion Equimax Ocolado. Ellen and Equimax Ocolado are in fantastic form and will definitely be giving Robert something to worry about going into tomorrow’s third round. Who will win the battle of the Whitakers?

The newly sponsored, Equiport Classic resulted in a win for Belgium’s Dirk Demeersman and the chestnut gelding Tymoon Caloo Meerchen. The pair’s perfect round finished in a time of 55.39 seconds. There was an unusual tie for second place as wildcard Tina Fletcher riding Promised Land and John Whitaker on Argento both finished clear in an equal time of 59.10 seconds. Ellen Whitaker and CS Online narrowly missed second place in time of 59.42 seconds to settle for third place.

The British Open Indoor Cross Country kicked off the evening entertainment. Twenty four international event riders took part and were cheered on by the packed arena. With an impressive record in this competition Mark Kyle and his twenty year old grey gelding Drunken Disorderly repeated last year’s success by winning the class with a super speedy clear round in a time of 54.72 seconds. Being last to go meant that Mark knew exactly what he had to do to beat, Lauren Shannon, who trains with Mark, and her bay mare Quixotic who’d raced round the course in 55.61 seconds. Oliver Townend, who finished second in last year’s class, took third place with a clear round in 56.95 seconds. 

Sam Hutton has made a real impression in the national classes at the British Open this year, two wins in two days! First he took the BEF World Class Development Programme Pathfinder yesterday and then today he sealed the deal in the PCA Rising Stars Championship jumping a perfect double clear, both with 8 year old gelding Astral 57.  Nineteen combinations lined up for this Championship with a healthy nine clears going through to the jump-off, including crowd favourite Robert Whitaker. Sam rode a perfectly executed round to clinch the title on a time of 38.74seconds, rounding off a magical two days for him at the British Open. What a star for the future.

The BEF World Class Development Programme Championship is a hotly fought contest with Britain’s best young riders battling it out for qualification throughout the year for their hard earned place in the Championship and to set them on the path to future success. Many illustrious winners have graced the winners lap, including William and Ellen Whitaker.  It was Emily Davies’ night tonight and she stormed to victory ahead of Ireland’s Antony Condon who was in superb form but had to settle for second with the experienced Eurocommerce Lanapoule. It was real spectacle and a treat to see such talented young riders coming through the ranks.

In the new British Showjumping, British Riding Club & Pony Club Team Competition sponsored by Horseprint’s Pop Up Spooky Fillers, Team Royal Leisure reined supreme. The team comprised 128cm rider Jodie Hall-McAteer on Hollyoaks, 138cm rider Millie Howell riding Montana Dawn and 148cm rider Emily Bell with Cuckolds Tiptoes. All teams included a rider for each height section and were assisted by an international show jumper who acted as a Chef d’Equipe, walking the course with the teams and giving vital coaching tips and guidance. One of the leading British lady riders, Tina Fletcher, guided Team Royal Leisure to victory. Jodie, Millie and Emily jumped superbly, only accumulating 4 faults in a total time of 29.40 seconds. Narrowly beaten into second place was Robert Whitaker’s allocated team, Team Rowallan, consisting of Sandy McLean, Kerstin Deakin and Isla Mowat who also finished with 4 faults in a fractionally slower time of 30.26 seconds. Third place went to the team coached by Ellen Whitaker, Team Stainsby Grange, which included Katie Waldock-Smith, Katie Pownall and Romilly Simmons who also finished on only four faults in a time of 33.64 seconds.

For more information and full results click here.

Another great day but I am feeling exhausted! USA Today was superb in today’s 2^nd leg of the Championship and we came third. Ellen took first with Ocolado which means we are now tied at the top of the leader board. I need to keep the pace up if I want to get my hands on the trophy again this year. Ellen and Ocolado are a great combination and had brilliant success at HOYS – winning three major titles. I will jump Casino tomorrow in the 3^rd round then decide to who to jump in the final. 

In between my classes today I took Rooney down to the Parelli Zone. He can be a bit nervous sometimes so my mate James Robert, who practices Parelli training methods, tried some “natural horsemanship” on him. I must say it does seem to have improved him and he seems better already although obviously nothing is fixed overnight! Very interesting to see this work in action.

I also enjoyed coaching one of the BS, BRC & PC teams today. I really got into the coaching – especially when the tips paid off and they went clear! My team, Rowallan, came second so the young riders were really chuffed. I was impressed with the level of riding, especially a particular rider, Sandy McLean. She had great guts and style – one to watch for the future. It was a great experience for me and the kids.

Looking forward to tomorrow….

Rob

Well yesterday went really well! I won two classes including the 1^st leg of the Championship so feel on track to regain the title! Saying that so much can happy in this competition and with two more rounds before the final I have still got my work cut out. The opposition is also really strong. Some of the best riders in the world are here including my Uncles and cousins. The rider behind me on the leader board, Guy Williams, is a great rider and his horse, Torinto van de Middlestede rarely knocks a fence so I know I need to keep really focused. I feel luck may be on my side though. This show is a favourite of mine and definitely a highlight of my achievements. I love it here and feel really proud that my dad was part of the conception of such a great event. The prize money is also brilliant and I have been successful enough to receive a good chunk of it over the years!

Casino jumped great yesterday. He was fast and the course suited him. I saved two strides – one between fence 1 & 2 and one between the 2^nd to last and last. He is a top horse and I think he could win any Grand Prix in the World. I won jumping Lacroix in all the rounds last year but I will rest Casino today and ride USA Today in the second round. Lacroix was a special horse and the format of this unique Championship competition suited him. He didn’t get sharp with too much jumping and hated knocking any fences but most horses, in fact all the other horses who have won the Open, have been rested on at least one day.   

I have to fight with Dad to get my hands on Casino! But lucky for me he has got a great string at the moment so I have got the ride. He has got two new horses, Uniek and Tadmus, and his top ride Peppermill, who was coming to the British Open, is doing some stud work for a couple of weeks now.

Apart from the jumping I have been watching as much of the show as poss and meeting my fans and visitors to the show. I love meeting and talking to people that follow the sport and have an interest in me. I feel privileged to be able to come to shows and get recognised by people. But as much as I love the attention I am glad I can go out with being surrounded by paps – I wouldn’t want to be a celebrity in that respect!

Robert Whitaker made the perfect start in his quest to regain his British Open Championship title by winning the opening leg and claiming the illustrious early top spot on the leader board. This puts Robert in the perfect position to take what would be an astonishing fourth Championship title, and third in a row, if he wins the final on Saturday. However, he still has his work cut out with two further classes (tomorrow and Friday) before the final and, of course, the stiff competition of the world’s leading riders. Robert showed no sign of caving under the pressure of returning to the British Open winning the first leg of the Championship and the Midland Masters – all on the first day!

The in-form Champion started as he meant to go on when he gained his debut victory at this year’s show in the second international class of the day, the Midland Masters. Yorkshireman Robert rode a double clear in a time of 37.24 seconds on his relatively new ride, the 9yr old bay stallion, USA Today, to beat British Young Rider Jemma Kirk riding Tosca who received a wild card to qualify at the British Open to compete amongst the world’s best show jumpers. Third place went to German rider Daniel Deusser riding Cabreado S E. Next came the all important first round of the Championship. A foot perfect round by Casino, a bay gelding by Cavalier, often campaigned by father John, took Robert into the lead with 58.41 seconds. The only other two clear rounds came from Guy Williams with Torinto van de Middlestede and Ellen Whitaker with Equimax Ocolado but they could not challenge Robert’s time and finished on 58.81 seconds and 60.09 seconds respectively. Britain’s No.1, Ben Maher, rode a smooth and classy round into fourth place meaning Britain secured the top four places in the first leg of the Championship creating a very pleasing result for the home crowd. 

This year’s Jeep Challenge proved to be the ideal warm up for the world’s leading riders with half the class making it through to the jump-off. Scott Brash riding the very handsome stallion Sebastian, produced an outstanding double clear in 30.02 seconds. This was the perfect start to the British Open for Scott, who only received his invitation to the competition last week. Belgium international Dirk Demeersman finished in second place riding, Tymoon Caloo Meerchen in a time of 30.86 seconds, fellow Begium, Wilm Vermier, took third place riding Umit. 

In the first of the national classes, twenty-five of the country’s budding amateur riders were given the chance to compete in an International show environment. After eight qualifying rounds, held at major equestrian centres across the country, the competition was set to be fierce. Nine competitors made it through to the jump-off and the class was won by Ian Wynne riding Don Douglas who set an unbeatable time of 36.44 seconds. Second place went to Vicky Ashworth riding Riverside Glen in a time of 37.17 seconds followed closely by Jon Fletcher riding his own Chemo Z in a time of 37.73 seconds.

The BEF World Class Development Programme Pathfinder got off to a cracking start this evening with Britain’s top young riders pitted against to each other to decide the draw for the Championship tomorrow. Sam Hutton rode a masterful round with Astral 57 to take the lead with a staggering time of 37.96 seconds. Joe Clayton looked like he had it in the bag with a fast and accurate round finishing on 38.83 seconds with the lovely Saveur. Joe and Saveur finished 3^rd in this Championship last year and came 2^nd in the Young Riders Championship of Great Britain at HOYS back in October, a class combination but no match for Sam and Astral 57 today. It will be interesting to see these two back in battle tomorrow in the Championship!

Katie Marfleet riding Murrum Park Phantom won the inaugural Ponies UK Super League competition which saw 20 talented pony riders battling it out in the British Open’s daunting International Arena. Katie produced a superb show to music to receive a total of 55 points and claim the title. Second place, with 54 points, went to Samantha Bell and Maybe IV followed closely by Shannon Meer riding Littlestones Silver Lady.

For more information and full results click here.

A limited number of tickets are still available on the door for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. To pre-book visit the British Open website or call the Box Office on 0844 581 1301.

I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the 1^st leg of the Championship tonight; I’m riding Casino who my father rode at the British Open last year. Casino is a sharp, fast horse who will suit the speed class tonight. USA Today who jumped brilliantly to win me the Midland Masters earlier will jump in the 2^nd leg tomorrow.

Casino jumped really well in Germany recently so I think he’s in with a good chance tonight. I will be without my seasoned campaigner, Lacroix 9 this year. He’s now  15yrs old and owes me nothing, he’s jumped brilliantly the last few years at the very top and it’s a big ask to expect him to keep jumping the biggest tracks. He deserves to give someone else experience so he’s been sold to a lovely home with a young girl who will compete him internationally but jumping smaller courses.

So I have Casino, Rooney and USA Today with me this week, and don’t ask me who my favourite is! I can’t decide between them!

My horses are all fit and raring to go and I can’t wait to campaign for my 4^th title!

Watch this space!