Quarteira, Faro, Portugal – February 28, 2021 – The fifth week of the 2021 Vilamoura Atlantic Tour came to an end on Sunday and one of the all-time legends of the sport stole the spotlight, proving once again that he still has plenty of gas in his tank at the age of 66.
Tradition and class were on display as John Whitaker (GBR) guided Unick du Francport to win the €51,700 Federação Equestre Portuguesa (Portuguese Equestrian Federation) Grand prix CSI 3* at the Vilamoura Equestrian Centre. The Brit and the 13-year-old bay Selle Français gelding (Zandor x Helios de La Cour II) overcame six other combinations in the jump-off, clearing all the obstacles while registering the fastest penalty-free effort in 36.43 seconds.
Marc Bettinger (GER) and Undercover Z (Ugano Sitte x Heartbreaker) earned silver honors, matching the double clear while posting a final time of 37.01 seconds.
Juliette de Faligot (FRA) and Arqana de Riverland (Cornet Obolensky x Diamant de Semilly) completed their fault-free jump-off performance in 37.56 seconds, good enough for bronze honors.
Final Results – €51,700 Federação Equestre Portuguesa Grand Prix CSI 3*
1) John Whitaker (GBR) & Unick du Francport – 0 / 0 – 36.43
2) Marc Bettinger (GER) & Undercover Z – 0 / 0 – 37.01
3) Juliette de Faligot (FRA) & Arqana de Riverland – 0 / 0 – 37.56.
Text: Jumper News, no reproduction without permission
Photos: © Vilamoura Equestrian Centre / Mariana Guimarães
Categories: CSI 3*, English, Jumper News Great Britain
