Things went swimmingly (excuse the pun) for some competitors at last weekend’s British Masters International CSI2* at South View Equestrian Centre in Cheshire (3-5 July).
Local rider Keith Shore took the Harveys British Masters grand prix riding Betty Brandon’s Mystic Hurricane. And despite settling for the runner-up spot in the grand prix, Julie Andrews and Ayrton IV clinched the speed competition the previous day.
But for a fair few, the water caused a spot of bother. Some took it as a chance to cool off their hooves in the hot July weather, while others decided they didn’t like the look of it at all and a few just decided to close their eyes and go for a wild leap.
How NOT to tackle a water jump
Cooling off with some splash
James Hughes and Pieter VI make a spalsh
‘Errrr, no thanks!’
Richard Howley’s nine-year-old Opium Europa decides to give this one a miss
Continued below…
15 riders reach the point of no return
We’ve all been there — one minute you’re enjoying the ride of your life and the next you experience that
‘Where are my legs meant to go?!’
Things look like they’re happening in slow motion for Gemma Johnsey-Plumley and the 10-year-old gelding Kobie
‘I think I prefer the look of the plants…’
Harriet Nuttall, 25, and her chestnut seven-year-old, Galway Bay Jed, opt for a slightly different route…
‘Does taking off from here work?’
The seven-year-old Zurich’s White Gold goes for an ambitious take-off
And finally…
Graham Gillespie, who was celebrating his 21st birthday at the show, and the eight-year-old Chestnut mare Celine show us how it’s done
… as do William Whitaker and La Cawarra
Twenty-five-year-old William and the 10-year-old bay mare sail over in fine style. What was all the fuss about?
Pictures by Jo Prestwich
Find the full report from the British Masters International CSI2* in this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (9 July 2015), with more showjumping coverage from the Longines Global Champions Tour of Paris, Royal Norfolk, Weston Lawns and Area 14, plus a comment from William Funnell
