Ellen Whitaker scores a hat-trick at HOYS
Thursday was Ellen Whitaker’s “lucky day” at Horse of the Year Show as she triumphed in all three international showjumping classes on three different horses.
Ellen, who also scored a hat-trick at the show last year, although not all on one day, kicked off with victory in the Xerox Special Events Services Cup on her old faithful Kanselier and quickly followed up by taking the Sky Sports Trophy on CS Online.
The culmination of a phenomenal day came in the Jump 4 Joy Trophy where she and Equimax Ocolado took advantage of a late draw to make it three out of three.
“I can’t believe it — I thought my luck had run out after the first two classes,” said Ellen after she beat her cousin and long-time leader Robert Whitaker (Rostaar) into second place in the evening.
“He got quicker towards the end, which perhaps was a bit dangerous, but I didn’t think I was as fast as I was.”
Earlier in the evening, Laura Renwick gave Julie Biddle’s seven-year-old Parvati De Breve a superb ride to land the Horse & Hound Foxhunter championship.
Laura last won this class in 2006 with Limelight De Breve, and was a narrow runner-up last year with Oz De Breve, so was in determined mood with this bay mare, who is from the same stud but no relation to the others.
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“This is the culmination of her year – she’s really shown her class tonight,” said Essex-based Laura. “If she turns out to be half as good as Limelight, I’ll be very happy.”
Stay in touch with all the action from HOYS on Horseandhound.co.uk throughout the show, and don’t miss H&H’s special report, on sale Thursday 14 October
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Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.