18 May 2014
Robert Whitaker closed the international competitions at Royal Windsor Horse Show with a spectacular round of show jumping to claim first place in the Alltech Grand Prix for The Kingdom of Bahrain Trophy. Riding Catwalk, the Yorkshireman had a little bit of luck to help him clip one and a half seconds off his cousin William’s leading time.
“I was pretty fast between the first three fences, but I am not sure what happened at the end,” said Robert, 31. “Everyone was pushing for the second last and I was holding; I was a bit lucky!”
Seven riders had gone clear over the testing course and Daniel Neilson, a brand ambassador for one of the show’s sponsors, Hermes, set the standard from the get-go in the jump-off on Varo M.
“It’s tough being first to go,”said Daniel. “Especially with so many good riders following you.”
Although a good standard had been set, William Whitaker pinched back two seconds on his girlfriend Elizabeth Freudlund’s Fandango.
“Fandango had some good results, including winning a grand prix in Spain this year,” said Elizabeth, who handed over Fandango’s reins to William when she fell pregnant with their first child, Bella.
However, Robert prevented his cousins winning by finding extra time on course with his mother Clare’s 11-year-old stallion.
“I hadn’t realised William was two seconds faster than Dan,” said Robert, who will join both Dan and William in St Gallen on a British Nations Cup team. “So I was going pretty quick.
“It’s great to win this class here. It’s always been a top show, and sure the weather has helped, but there’s lots of people here, lots of backing, good riders, a great atmosphere and the horses have jumped fantastically off the [Martin Collins] surface.”
Early in the day, swiftness was all important in the Speed Stakes. France’s Julien Gonin was victorious with his own Queen Girl Kervec. He prevented a fourth win at the show for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Al-Sharbatly, who came second with Andrea.
Source: Revolution Sports
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