Posted: 17th June 2019 | Back to news feed
Vintage Whitaker Performance at Bolesworth International
John Whitaker turned back the clock and produced a vintage performance to win Saturday's feature four-star class at the Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show. The 63-year-old Yorkshireman has collected 19 Olympic, World and European medals during a stellar career that has seen him land major titles all over the world. He made his Olympic debut for Great Britain 35 years ago, and was also part of the team that went to the 2016 Rio Games.
And he showed that none of the magic has left him by winning the John Oates Horseboxes speed class in style on 17-year-old stallion Argento. Their tried and tested partnership again served them well in a field of 44 starters as they broke 60 seconds, clocking 59.49 to post a time that no other combination seriously threatened.
John collected a £7,300 top prize, with Keith Shore and Iron Lady Van T Meulenhof continuing their successful show - they won an international class on Thursday - by taking second place and heading off a strong Irish challenge. Ireland's Michael Pender took third on Hhs Fortune, with his countrymen Gerard O'Neill (Castlefield Vegas) and David Simpson (Foudre F) finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
John, though, set the standard from a relatively early draw, and he was delighted to add another top Bolesworth class to his list of achievements. "I aimed Argento at that competition this week," John said. "He's 17 now, and I don't do the big grands prix with him any more, and it all went to plan today.
"He is naturally quick and really careful, so you can take chances and you know he is going to try. He has got the experience, and we know each other very well. We have got a combined age of 80! It's obviously great to win on home soil, and it is fantastic to have a show like this in the north of England. I am actually a little bit short of top-class horses, but I have got a couple of new ones here that I am working on to build them up.
"I still enjoy it and I can still do it, so I might as well keep going a bit longer. It gives you confidence when you win a class like that - success breeds success."
Kayleigh Celebrates Bolesworth Victory
Kayleigh Watts reflected on arguably her biggest career victory after winning the Voltaire Design CSI two-star grand prix at the Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show. The Hertfordshire rider kept her nerve in a tense jump-off to land the £7,300 top prize with 11-year-old mare Ninkie de Vy Z. It was an outstanding performance in the face of some fierce competition, with 54 combinations starting the class and nine securing a jump-off place.
Last-to-go Richard Barton, riding Donata, put Kayleigh's time of 38.35 seconds under pressure, but he had to be content with second place on 39.04, with Steven Franks and Brutus III finishing third and Angela Thompson fourth on Fremont VDL.
"It is probably the biggest class I've won," Kayleigh said. "I have been riding the horse since before Christmas, and then did the Sunshine Tour with her this year.
"She is incredible. I have never had a horse like that in the arena. All she wants to do is jump clear. She is amazing, and I know that as long as I get it right, then we will be okay.
"I was quite nervous before the first round, and then once we jumped clear I decided to just go as quick as I could in the jump-off.
"Bolesworth is an incredible, amazing show. It is my third visit here, and this would be my best one so far."
North Yorkshire's Paul Barker claimed his second win of the week with Happy Boy when they took the Hunters Gin two-star class against the clock.
It was a dominant display by a highly-consistent combination as they secured top honours in 60.33 seconds, with Millie Allen and Chantal finishing second and James Smith securing third spot on The Black Flyer.
The Tattinger Champagne CSI amateur A bronze two-phase competition produced an American one-two.
Caroline Ratigan's jump-off time of 29.00 seconds aboard Gallicia proved 79 hundredths of a second quicker than Becky Gochman, riding Connie BH, and Ireland's Kirsti Connole was third with Zazu Van Terhofstede.
It’s a Turbo-Charged Porsche Ride and Drive
Saturday's action at the Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show ended in turbo-charged fashion with the Porsche Ride and Drive. And it was former multiple champion jockey Sir AP McCoy who showcased his skills with a completely different kind of horsepower - behind the wheel of a Porsche Cayenne, thanks to Porsche Centre Chester, in Bolesworth's International Arena.
The thrill-a-minute relay race saw one part of the combination tackle a showjumping course, before dismounting and leaping in the car, which was then driven by the rider's partner. AP McCoy was partnered with exciting British jumping prospect Oliver Fletcher, and their combined time - 73.59 seconds - over fences and then a cone obstacle course for the car driver, proved unbeatable.
Second place went to rider Daniel Barnes and driver Vincent Byrne, with rider Joss Williams and driver Phil Gray taking third. In a celebrity-packed class, other drivers included television star and impressionist Rory Bremner and BBC television sports presenter Mike Bushell.
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