Posted: 2nd January 2020 | Back to news feed

Thrilling Victory for Harriet Nuttall to get Liverpool Underway

 Great Britain's Harriet Nuttall launched the TheraPlate UK Liverpool International Horse Show with a thrilling victory in Saturday's opening four-star class. The two-phase competition, which included a jump-off element for those clear after the first stage, reached a gripping conclusion at the M&S Bank Arena. Luxembourg's Charlotte Bettendorf was the long-time leader aboard Bellefleur Ps Z, clocking 27.67 seconds.

 And it looked as though that might be enough, but Harriet and Night of Glory O.L. had other ideas. Entering the arena with a late draw, they timed their run to perfection, posting 27.63 seconds to claim top spot.

 "Wow. A win is a great start to the show," Harriet said. "I really enjoy Liverpool. It's a fun show with plenty of speed classes as well as the major classes, and the atmosphere is always electric.

 “Night of Glory O.L. is a relatively new ride, and is owned by Old Lodge who are also a sponsor, so it’s a win all-round.  "She is really quick against the clock and competing at 1.45m level. and is a great addition to the team.  She is a real trier and just a winner.”

 Britain's Corinne Collins and Bugatti B completed the podium places, taking third in 30.96 seconds, with Guy Williams and Cicero II finishing fourth.

Guy has Cause for Celebration

 Liverpool fan Guy Williams had plenty of cause for celebration after claiming an impressive victory on the opening day of the TheraPlate UK Liverpool International Horse Show. Williams, excited by the Reds' seemingly unstoppable march to Premier League title glory under Jurgen Klopp this season, won The Pullman Hotel, Liverpool feature jumping class at M&S Bank Arena.

 The one round competition against the clock saw British Nations Cup rider Guy steer 14-year-old stallion Rouge de Ravel home in a masterful display. Their clear round in 54.81 seconds set a blistering pace that no-one threatened - apart from Lily Attwood, who is a rider that Guy trains.

 

Drawn last to go, Lilly and Karibou Horta finished just 21 hundredths of a second behind Guy for second place, with Ireland's Michael Pender taking third on Verdict de Kezeg and William Funnell finishing fourth aboard Billy Mccain.

"He (Rouge de Ravel) has won probably 20 ranking classes this year, and that was really up his street, to be honest," said Guy, who landed a top prize of just over £7,000. "He is very fast, and the only one I was worried about was Lily at the end, because I train her and that horse is very quick as well.

 "Your horse had to be really balanced and a good jumper out there. There was no room for error, really. It was a good result for me and Lily. "I am a Liverpool supporter as well, so it is great to be here and to enjoy the city. Nina Barbour (show director) does such a fantastic job with the shows at Liverpool and Bolesworth.

 "We will aim for the ranking classes, and I have also got my puissance horse here, so we will try and win as much as we can."

 

James Whitaker Heads Equerry Horse Feeds Under-25s Grand Prix

 James Whitaker opened his legendary showjumping family's winning account at the TheraPlate UK Liverpool International Horse Show on Saturday evening.

 James, younger brother of Great Britain Nations Cup rider William Whitaker, took top honours in the Equerry Horse Feeds Under-25s Grand Prix. It was a stylish performance in a class that produced just three clear rounds from 18 starters. Ultimately, it proved to be a showdown between James on Caloro Ex Z and Robert Murphy, riding Highgrove Violet.

 Robert followed his first round clear with another immaculate display, clocking 43.25 seconds, but James clipped half a second off that time to claim a £2,000 winner's purse.  Harry Wainwright and Pinheiro Beech finished third, with leading Irish challengers Jason Foley and Castlefield Cass in fourth.

 Reflecting on his victory, James said: "It's fantastic. We didn't have the best of weeks in a show last week, but we came back and tried hard, and luckily it paid off. "You have got to learn from your mistakes, and we've both done that and got a great result from it.

 "It was a tough course. There were only three clears in the end, and luckily it played into my hands a little bit. "I wasn't last to go (in the jump-off), so I didn't have loads of pressure, but I put enough pressure on the last to go to have a fence down, so it worked out perfectly for me.

 "We've only been together for about four or five months. We've won a couple of classes, so we are slowly getting together, and hopefully next year we will have a good year.  "It's fantastic to win here at Liverpool, and I can finish the year on a high now."

The Equestrian Index newsfeed is compiled from articles submitted by advertising members and expresses the opinions of those members. Watsons Directories Ltd shall not be held liable for any inaccuracies or mis-statements therein.