Posted: Saturday, December 17th, 2011
“I watched William on the screen, but I’d already made a plan,” said Dan, 21, who has been riding Varo M for four years. “I thought the course was tricky enough – not that big and gutsy, but a real test of control. My horse was felt great, though, in the first round and he was foot-perfect in the jump-off.”
Dan, who won this class in 2007, nearly took up a career in boxing. “I loved it, and my trainer told me to ‘stop messing around with horses’ but there was something in me that was always going to go for the riding.”
Added interest was provided by two former European champions, Kevin Staut from France and Team Murka’s rider, Peter Charles, who judged the style prize. It was no surprise when they awarded the honours to the graceful William Whitaker, who has a lovely quiet style.
“His style was perfect,” said Peter. “He was very elegant, precise, polished and correct. Dan, too, made it look easy – his riding is way ahead of his age and his experience shows. Overall, these young riders are riding much more in balance these days, with better leg and seat positions.”
The three fastest four-faulters also jumped off. Sam Hutton, riding Astral 57, was fastest of the three, just hitting the very last fence, and took third place.
Rob Hoekstra, show jumping’s performance manager, proclaimed himself delighted with the outcome. “The course set a tough standard but we want to produce nations cup and grand prix riders. There were never going to be that many clears.”
The good news, announced by Olga White of Team Murka, is that the prize-money for the series and final will be doubled in 2012.
Riverdance routine bring luck of Irish for Eldwick Riding Club
Earlier, Eldwick Riding Club’s evocative Irish-flavoured display won the British Riding Clubs/SEIB Quadrille of the Year.
Martin Clunes, actor and president of the British Horse Society, who was judging with dressage rider Steph Croxford and polo player and jousting expert Karl Ude-Martinez, commented that the fact that all four riders were riding grey Connemara ponies added “emotional impact. Their routine was properly shaped,” he added. “It had a beginning and an end, and the younger riders coped beautifully with the pressure.”
For the first time, the competition was opened out to younger riders. The winning club’s team comprised mother and daughter Katherine and Emily Wilkinson, plus two friends, Chloe Eshelby, 15, and Millie Ryan, 13. A new qualifier at Aintree also opened up the geographical spread – the Eldwick team is from Yorkshire.
Karl Ude-Martinez said: “Their choice of music – Riverdance – was fantastic and sat well with their patterns. They were the only team to use the whole arena, they set the fastest pace and had more variations of pace. It was very engaging.”
Second place went to Bath Riding Club for their “Pride of Bath” routine, which had a “Lion King” theme. Devon-based Witheridge & District, clad in elaborate dragon outfits, complete with tails which unfurled, were third.
St Edmunds Riding Club were fourth with a moving display marking the 90th anniversary of the British legion – as they left the arena, to stirring military music, they unfurled beautiful long veils stitched with poppies.
