Ellen Whitaker back in the spotlight with Scope Festival win

The ladies and gents champions went head to head in the final easibed national 1.40m grand prix of the BSJA/Scope Festival 2008 on Saturday.

Ellen Whitaker (Ocolado) and Geoff Luckett (Little Lefanie) produced typically determined rounds in their attempt to claim the £5,000 winners purse. Once Geoff had taken the lead with his gents champion Brickfield Boy (4th), the gauntlet was well and truly thrown down.

Billy Twomey was first to relegate the pair with Je T’aime Flamenco, and then Ellen put the class beyond reach with Dawn Makin’s Ocolado. And although Geoff Luckett pulled out all the stops with his last drawn ride R Little Lefanie, they had to settle for 2nd spot.

A specialist at bringing young horses through the grades, Laura Renwick claimed her third title of the week, when Vernon G triumphed in the Vitamite National 6-year-old championship.

This championship has previously been held at the Horse of the Year Show, but this year the final was three rounds on grass in Stafford’s grand ring. Laura led from the half way stage in the 11-strong jump off. She also clinched 3rd and 12th places riding Oz De Breve and Obelix Z.

Pippa Allen took the top two places in the NGM Dunglenn 148cm championship riding Spot the Lady and Caprice III. Pippa and Spot the Lady have had an incredible season, and they were having their first outing since the pony European championships, where they helped to secure team gold for Britain.

Other final day champions were:

National grade C – Victoria Cooper & Mieke II.

National grade B – Richard Barton & Let’s Dance.

QDOS Development & Fiedhouse Furniture Adventurer – Emma Slater & Cosmic Neo.

Peter Flanagan National Junior British Novice – Harriet Barsham & Orland XI.

Golden Bear & Shaw Farm Stud Tiny Tots – Jessica Hewitt & Laithehill Tarragon.

Bilton Ward Developments Midget & Mighty Masters Relay – Ella Howell (Cappagh Cindy) & Keith Shore (Nintendo II).

Don’t miss H&H’s full report from the Scope Festival, including photographs of the best of the action in next week’s magazine

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