A double clear from John Whitaker and Becky Stones’s stallion Peppermill secured victory for Britain’s show jumping team in this afternoon’s leg of the Samsung Super league in Rome.
Aided by clears from John and Royal Windsor hero Tim Stockdale (Fresh Direct Corlato) plus a four-faulter by Michael Whitaker on Suncal Portofino, Britain lay equal second at the halfway stage.
But their rivals fell away in round two, and with Michael and John clear this time and Tim with just a single mistake, victory was sealed by a single fence over Germany, Belgium, France and Switzerland, who shared second spot.
Robert Smith’s ride for Britain, the inexperienced Ronaldo, found the going tough and had the discard score in both rounds.
This was a complete reversal of fortune after the British team finished last in the opening leg in La Baule, France.
The next outing for the Brits will be in St Gallen, Switzerland, next weekend, where Johh, Michael and Tim will be joined by Nick Skelton and William Funnell.
