Robert Whitaker Delights the Crowds at the British Open for a third time
Monday 20 April 2009
After four days of international competition, Robert Whitaker achieved what no other has managed and took the British Open Championship title for a third time. Robert rode the talented Lacroix 9 in all four legs of the competition which was an unusual tactic in the sense that no other Champion has won using the same horse in all elements. The other riders all chose to use two horses and keep their top horse fresh for the Final, going against the grain certainly worked in Robert's favour today. Fourteen year old Lacroix 9 jumped carefully all week to keep Robert at the top of the leader board going into the final, and the partnership kept their cool in the crucial jump off. Overnight joint leader Kevin Staut had the terrible misfortune of falling off early in the course eliminating him and immeadiately ending his British Open dream. Eventual second and third place went to Nathalie van der Mei and Robert Smith respectively. This was Nathalie's first show in England and prved she is able to produce excellent away form. Robert Smith rode a cracking round on Vangelis S but it wasn't enough to catch Robert Whitaker who dominated the competition with first class jumping from the start.
23.000 visitors graced the LG arena for the British Open to enjoy the fabulous jumping and exquisite equestrian entertainment including a spell binding display by Jean Francois Pignon. Grandstand Event Management, Managinf Director, Helena Petitt commented,
'It has been a really fabulous show. Visitor numbers are significantly up on last year's event and the feedback from the visitors, competitors and those involved has been extremely positive. We are also delighted with the Championship result and very pleased Robert has succeeded in breaking yet another British Open record.'
This year's British Open Speed Stakes started in true style with a strong line up of competitors. The triumphant winner was Laura Renwick on her super speedy mare Limelight de Breve. British leading lady Laura set the unbeatable time of 55.99 seconds early on in the competition. Swiss rider Marcus Fuchs finished second on Granie 5 in a time of 58.70. While Robert Smith and Columbia 11 competed the course in 59.27 to gain third place.
The PCA Futura Final saw Helen Tredwell and Naomi V gain their first win from the past four days. Six of the 18 riders in the class went through to the jump off where Helen rode an impressive clear in the fastest time 0f 30.61 seconds. Mark Bunting and bay mare Arletter II finished second with a double clear and a time of 31.53 seconds. Mark was folllowed by Joe Clayton riding Saveur in third, in a time of 33.77 seconds.
In other show competitions, Team KP Equestrian and The A Team drew in the Celebrity Arena Polo competition. Sadly Katie Price was unable to compete due to a recently sustained knee injury. However she was ringside to cheer on her substitute, the British Open's very own Marketing & PR Manager Jade de Vere-Drummond, and the rest of her team. Amy Guy, captain of the A Team and Katie were both extremely happy with the result.
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