The flagship class at Addington Manor’s four-day show was the £1,000-to-the-winner Country Equestrian Grand Prix, which featured a “take your own line” jump-off course, reports Suzanne Jones.
Only seven of the 40-strong field made the jump off, with six of the riders being under the age of 23. Tim Stockdale carried the pride of the older riders, but had one down with Fresh Direct Corlato. Portia Howard produced the winning formula with Oscar IX to take the prize, ahead of William Whitaker riding Carnaval Path. Peter White finished third on Sante Fee in his first ever grand prix.
William Whitaker was in the winner’s enclosure on the final day when he headed the VCR Rising Stars on Wanami Van Der Aard. Philippa Dobby featured strongly in the supporting classes, scoring a hat-trick of 1.20m wins with Ricochet Rex and taking victory in the 1.30m open on Utah VII. Vicky Tulloch notched up three wins with Soliegette, heading 1.25m and 1.30m opens before taking the final day’s young horse handicap.
Purdy-Ann Blosse claimed The College’s Blue Chip Dynamic on Shalom Valentino, ahead of Claire Robertson and Rhodos, reports Kerry Bowness. Nicole Pavitt won the Blue Chip Power on Charlotte Z. Lana Junak with C’Est Ca De L’Orangerie Z, a discovery finalist this year, was second. After a 15-horse jump-off, victory in the Blue Chip Performance qualifier went to Claire Hanson and Cassandrio Z. Claire Robertson and Rhodos finished runners-up in this class as well.
A large number of the top German riders were present at Stuttgart, making life difficult for British riders, reports Ann Martin. The 2005 champions Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Shutterfly headed the Mercedes World Cup qualifier. Sweden’s Malin Baryard Johnsson took the Mercedes German Masters, which offered a car to the winner.
Of the British contingent Michael Whitaker fared best, finishing seventh on Mozart Des Hayettes in a table C and riding his home-bred Carnaval Path into third spot in a 1.50m jump-off competition. In the World Cup qualifier, John Whitaker was the best Briton, with one fence down on Peppermill.
Read these reports in full with picture, plus reports from Hartpury College, Kingston Maurward, Longwood Novice, Norfolk SJC and Osbaldeston RC, in tomorrow’s Horse & Hound (7 December, ’06)
