Arko is top Super League horse
Lisa and John Hale’s fabulous stallion Arko has been named the top horse of the 2004 Samsung Super League, after producing three double clear performances from four appearances with Nick Skelton.
The next most successful partnerships in the series were O de Pomme and Stanny van Paesschen from Belgium and Ireland’s Cian O’Connor and Waterford Crystal, who both jumped two double clears.
Britain’s third place in the final standings was in no small part thanks to the consistency of Britain’s Olympic riders Nick Skelton and Robert Smith, who were the only riders to contest all eight legs of the competition. Their fine performances helped Britain head the double clear leaderboard with France, with each country achieving five double clear rounds in total.
In fact just seven riders represented Britain during the series, compared to France’s winning 14 and second placed Germany’s 16-strong squad.
Robert produced the only double clear of the Hickstead leg with Mr Springfield, who also jumped in La Baule, Rome and Lucerne, while Marius Claudius stepped in for Aachen, Dublin and Barcelona.
Nick rode Russel at Rotterdam, Aachen, Hickstead and Barcelona, with Arko contesting the other four legs. Michael Whitaker produced Britain’s only other double clear with Portofino in Rotterdam.
Other riders who made regular Super League appearances during 2004 included America’s Judy Garofalo, Belgium’s Ludo Philippaerts and Ireland’s Marion Hughes, who each contested six of the eight legs.
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.