Ryan Prater won the winter A and B grand prix at Patchetts Premier Show on Vahagn De Lozana, ahead of Justin Tuff on Nick and Karen O’Brien’s Retro. Only eight of the 44 starters reached the the jump-off over Keith Bristow’s course.
Hannah Paul and Lucky were at their brilliant best to demote Philippa Dobby and Utah from top spot in the BEF Young Riders qualifier.
The Royal International B and C qualifier attracted a strong entry, with Rowan Willis (Calimero) and Tracy Priest (Symfonie Van Het Eikelbos) jumping the only double clears to collect their Hickstead tickets.
The honours in the other B and C qualifier — a Blue Chip version — went to sixteen-year-old Matthew Sampson on 15hh Chianti Classico.
The opening Blue Chip Performance class went to a terrific round from Irishman Paul Adams on former H&H picture editor Charlotte Risius’s Olmeo. (View Charlotte’s hatcam video of jumping Olmeo at Olympia)
The winter grade C winner was Andrew Saether on William Funnell’s home-bred Billy Can, while the remaining open classes were dominated by Guy Williams.
Read this report in full with pictures and further analysis, plus reports from other top jumping shows around Britain, in this Thursday’s Horse & Hound (15 March, ’07)
