Posted April 10, 2006

Saturday’s Spectacular Action from the British Open

April 8, 2006 - Defending champion, Robert Smith goes into tomorrow’s British Open final in the lead and local hero John Whitaker and Lancashire’s Robert Maguire win the British Open Puissance.

On day three of the British Open Show Jumping Championships at the Hallam FM Arena in Sheffield the pressure mounted in the third round of the British Open Championship as the scoreboard standings after this class dictated the twenty riders who would make the ‘cut’ and go through to the Final tomorrow. It was Switzerland’s Markus Fuchs on his grey gelding, Sylver II who was successful with a clear round in just 51.59 seconds streaks ahead of runner-up, Eric Van Der Vleuten from the Netherlands on his mare, Paloma, also with a clear round in 54.11seconds. Whilst Irishman Billy Twomey finished in third place with Anastasia III with a clear round in 55.22 seconds, the British contingency made up of Tim Gredley, Robert Smith and David McPherson held their own in fourth, fifth and sixth place respectively. Delighted on his win, Markus Fuchs said, “With an average performance in yesterday’s class, I needed to go well today in order to stay in the running for tomorrow’s final and had nothing to loose by really going for it.“

Following Robert’s Smith placing in today’s third round of the British Open Show Jumping Championship, the defending champion is still heading the Championship Leaderboard going into tomorrow’s final in pole position. Going into tomorrow’s final the top six riders are within only two fences of each other making for a very competitive finish to the Show. Included in the top twenty in the final will be Switzerland’s Maryline Vorpe and Eric Van Der Vleuten who are currently in second and third place respectively. Tomorrow’s final is guaranteed to be thrilling with top riders seeking to snatch the first prize of £25,000 from defending champion, Robert Smith.

The popular British Open Puissance in which eleven riders competed proved a real challenge this evening. Faced with a daunting six foot wall, riders including last year’s winner, Ben Maher, attempted to soar over the big red wall. This evening’s thrilling class went to four rounds by which time only John Whitaker (Exploit de Roulard and Lactic 2) and Robert Maguire (Mr. Crawley) tying with all three horses finding the scope to clear the substantial wall which stood at 7 ft 3 inches (2m.20). This was a popular win for local hero John Whitaker with the Sheffield crowd, many of whom remember John Whitaker tying with himself winning the HOYS Puissance last year on Eperlaan De Fouquet and also on Lactic.

An excited and packed crowd got behind the riders in the Tack365.com Knockout this evening, where two riders race against each other jumping identical courses in a symmetrical format. In a thrilling competition, Dirk Demeersman from the Netherland’s on Tibaldi and Britain’s Mark Armstrong on Rex were the masters of speed and accuracy, going through to one of the most thrilling and closest finals ever seen. In a perfectly matched ride-off both horses delivered, finding scope from the tightest of lines; eager glances over their shoulders’ saw speed compromising accuracy with the Dutchman and Brit dropping one and two poles respectively before galloping neck and neck to the final fence. Mark cleared the last but Dirk’s Tibaldi just tapped the back rail leaving one pole down. Following a tense pause while the times were checked, the crowed dominated the arena with loud cheers and squeals of excitement as the speedy Dutchman, Dirk Demeersman was confirmed as the Tack365.com Knockout victor.

Earlier on in the afternoon, the British riders emerged the strongest in the Zinc Management International Classic with three out of five finishing in the top five. The class was won by one of Britain’s Show Jumping icons, Michael Whitaker on Insultech El Capricho Atormentado with a double clear in 36.61 seconds closely chased by Germany’s hopeful Daniel Deusser on Lucas 149 in 36.64 seconds. Third spot went to David McPherson riding his own bay stallion, Santorin F also with a double clear. Dutchman Eric Van Der Vleuten on Owendel and our own Helen Treadwell on Opportunity B both picked up four faults in the jump-off coming fourth and fifth respectively.

Following yesterday’s preliminary class The World Class Start & Potential Under 23 Championship concluded with another win for the famous Yorkshire family with Joe Whitaker taking first place ahead of Andrew Mizon. In a challenging course where only four young riders successfully made the jump-off, Joe demonstrated the experience and composure of a senior rider needed to negotiate the course with the only clear in the jump-off on his chestnut mare, 165 Desdamona whom he has only had at his yard for two months. An elated Joe commented, “It was a tough course and not many went clear to start. I was really pleased to have qualified this year, although I only just made it! Last year, I was due to compete, but only two weeks before the show, the horse was sold!” Commenting on his horse, “We only got her a couple of months ago so we haven’t had that much time to prepare, but at 15.2hh she’s very ponyish – an ideal young rider’s horse.”

Adding to the excitement of the show jumping, visitors have been captivated by the most spectacular display of horsemanship from ‘flying Frenchman’, Lorenzo. In a UK first, Lorenzo earnt standing ovations with a double bill of his fast and furious ‘Action’ routine and all new Emotion performance. Known for his daredevil stunts, standing upright on the backs of his horses, galloping, jumping and weaving between obstacles, Lorenzo showed his versatility by treating the crowds to an entirely different act all together. Without saddles or bridles, Lorenzo wooed the audience, personifying pure trust and harmony between man and horse, jumping his horses over fences whilst catapulting himself into the air to clear high jumps, all without even a stitch of tack. A truly magnificent display.

With the final of the British Open Show Jumping Championships tomorrow and action packed entertainment, the best is still to come! Tomorrow will see the top twenty riders on the Championship Leaderboad battling it out in the final of the prestigious British Open Show Jumping Championship class which will determine the overall British Open Champion 2006. In addition, the tension will climax with the finals of the Osborne Refrigerators Scurry Challenge, the British Open High Goal Challenge, the British Open Barrel Racing Challenge plus a whole host of spectacular equestrian entertainment including a performance by the flying Frenchman, Lorenzo. Tickets are still available from the Box Office on 0114 256 56 56. More information on the British Open can be found on www.britishopenshowjumping.com