Smith remains Britain’s No.1
Robert Smith was Britain’s most successful rider last year, forcing Michael Whitaker into second place for the second year in succession. Robert and Michael were in a class of their own collecting 4,675.02 and 4,345.12 points respectively.
Andrew Davies improved on his sixth place in 2002, to take third with 2,890.02 but John Whitaker was snapping at his heels less than five points behind in fourth.
Nick Skelton (2,661.60) was fifth, with the highest-placed young rider, Robert Whitaker (2,166.63), improving one place on his seventh position last year.
Robert was a country-mile ahead of his age group, with his cousin Ellen second in the young rider rankings, and the most successful female rider of the season. Ellen claimed 650.83 points during 2003, which earned her 16th place in the overall rankings.
Mandy Hall’s Limbo was the most successful horse of 2003, winning £118,416 for his owner, who also topped the leading owner’s list. The Cornish family’s Marius Claudis, ridden by Robert Smith, was second with £98,911.
Robert Smith also had Mr Springfield (£58,667) inside the top five, with Lord Z (£88,234) in third place and Arko III (85,110) in fourth.
Michael Whitaker took the runners up spot in the leading owner’s list, ahead of John and Lisa Hales, Robert Smith and Di and Penny Cornish.
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2003 Rankings: Overall riders
1, Robert Smith, 4,675.02 points; 2, Michael Whitaker, 4,345.12; 3, Andrew Davies, 2,890.02; 4, John Whitaker, 2,885.66; 5, Nick Skelton, 2,661.60; 6, Robert Whitaker, 2,166.63; 7, William Funnell, 1,678.82; 8, Tim Stockdale, 1,241.50; 9, Richard Davenport, 1,209.62; 10, Paul Barker, 1,173.84.
Leading owners
1, Mandy Hall, £158,539; 2, Michael Whitaker, £151,456; 3, John & Lisa Hales, £102,968; 4, Robert Smith, £99,799; 5, Di & Pennie Cornish, £98,911; 6, Clare Whitaker & Dr Bauer, £88,234; 7, Julie Slade & Equine America, £68,863; 8, Martin Dawes, £53,870; 9, AK Amara/Whitaker Sport Horses & Steven Whitaker, £49,414; 10, Julia Biddle, £44,763.
Top horses
1, Limbo V, £118,416; 2, Marius Claudius, £98,911; 3, Lord Z, £88,234; 4, Arko III, £85,110; 5, Mr Springfield, £58,667; 6, Portofino 63, £46,706; 7, Cortaflex Mondriaan, £41,253; 8, Kalusha £41,132; 9, Lactic Two, £39,587; 10, Luc £36,643.
- To view the complete rankings visit: www.bsja.co.uk
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.