Whitakers clean up at Bolesworth

William Whitaker has won the Redrow Grand Prix at Bolesworth CSI3*in Cheshire (15 June).

Big classes

All the classes over the four-day show were big on numbers and the Grand Prix was no exception, with 58 starters.

William jumped one of five double clears onboard Upperclass, in a fast time of 52.55. “I was quick back to the second from last fence and then six strides to the last,” he said.

Nick Skelton and Aristio weren’t far behind him with a time of 53.14, to take the runner’s-up spot.

Daunting challenge

Earlier in the week Nick tried his hand at carriage driving during the show’s opening ceremony, which took place in the new all-weather arena, complete with moat.

Nick handled the team of four with aplomb, but assured H&C he hadn’t been practicing.

“I’ve never sat on a carriage before, so it was quite daunting,” he said. “The horses were actually quite strong and you’ve got a lot of reins to deal with. I was only thinking about turning the front ones – I kept forgetting about the other two! I admire the carriage drivers it’s not an easy job.” Following this display was the first of three Longines World Ranking classes, which saw a Whitaker one, two, three. It looked like John would win the class, just ahead of his son Robert, but Stephen came in towards the end of the class and snatched victory with Abazu.

New mum

Robert and USA Today went on to win the International Stairway on day two – leaving Nick and Aristio in second place once again.

“The last three or four shows he’s been jumping great, everything suited him today, no mad gallops and lots of turn backs,” said Robert.

Saturday’s 1.30m Small Grand Prix saw Keith Shore win the class after taking an early lead in the jump off riding Zegreanne Z. Yet another Whitaker was in the prizemoney, with Ellen Whitaker taking the runner-up spot – just four weeks after giving birth to her first child, Harry.