No stopping Britain’s show jumpers

Britain’s show jumpers were on flying form this weekend – putting them on track for World Equestrian Games success later this summer (20 August until 3 September). While Nick Skelton (pictured) was winning in Lucerne, the British team finished second in the Portuguese Nation’s Cup in Lisbon, with Tim Stockdale placed third in the Grand Prix.

Nick Skelton scored a Grand Prix victory on Arko in Lucerne Switzerland (4 June), just one week after winning in Rome. Skelton was last to jump-off and although his time of 52.25sec earned him a time penalty, the score was still good enough for pole position. Marcus Ehning, world number one, finshed second with another German, Christian Ahlmann in third.

John Whitaker jumped clear in the first round with his exciting new ride Peppermill showing plenty of scope. But the pair sadly tipped a pole in the jump-off, pushing them down the leader board.

Meanwhile in Lisbon, the British show jumping team finished in second place – just three penalties behind winning team Brazil. The quartet, led by Chef d’Equipe and BSJA Chairman Michael Mac, clocked up a total score of 16 penalties to finish equal second with Ireland. Duncan Inglis riding his own Sunkist jumped a double clear. Tim Stockdale and Fresh Direct Corlato had an unfortunate fall in the water in the first round but redeemed themselves with a third place in the Grand Prix. David McPherson and Santorin F scored 12 penalties with Robert Maguire and Mr Cawley knocking one rail in the first round.

Britain’s young riders have also been showing their potential. The British Accenture Young Rider team finished in top spot in Fridays Nations Cup at CSIOJY Compiegne. The quartet of James Billington, Portia Howard, Charlotte Platt and Ryan Prater finished on a total score of just four penalties, leaving France in second position, with Belgium in third place.

Portia Howard and Oscar IX were narrowly beaten into second place in the Young Rider Grand Prix by Maikel Van Der Vleuten of the Netherlands. Both riders jumped impressive clear rounds but Van Der Vleuten was fractionally faster.

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