Windsor, England – May 12, 2023 – Day Three of Royal Windsor Horse Show continued with an action-packed schedule. Showing classes continued with multiple Championships taking place, the International Show Jumping commenced with two CSI 5* classes.
Later in the day, attention turned to the CSI5* Pearl Stakes. Once again, some of the most elite Show Jumpers in the world entered the Castle Arena with the aim of taking home this coveted prize.
The first round proved difficult, with the only clear before the break coming from 21-year-old British rider Lily Attwood (GBR). Attwood, who has had an extremely successful youth career, showed skill and agility around the challenging course with the 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding Cor-Leon Vd Vlierbeek Z.
France’s Olivier Perreau (FRA) then also executed a foot-perfect round to secure the second place in the jump-off. Disappointment came for numerous combinations, who after jumping clear over the fences gained time penalties, this included two of Britain’s FEI World Championship bronze medal winning team Ben Maher and Joseph Stockdale. Fourth last to go, Portugal’s Duarte Seabra continued his form from earlier in the day to join the exclusive group of clears, as did Belgium’s Koen Vereecke and Jana Wagers with her trusted partner Limbridge.
Germany’s Jana Wergers took the decision not to contest the second round, therefore with only four combinations jumping, it was all to play for. Lily Attwood (GBR) went in first, with a stylish and fast clear round to set the time to beat of 34.54 seconds, adding pressure to the following riders. Olivier Perraeu (FRA) and Koen Vereecke (BEL) both followed suit with classy clears but could not match the time set by Attwood, with Duarte Seabra picking up four faults. Attwood consequently secured the pinnacle Show Jumping Class of the day and etched her name into the Royal Windsor Horse Show history books.
Attwood exclaimed: “I’m absolutely delighted, to be at your home show and have a win on the first day is such a great feeling. This is my first 5* win – it’s a great place to do it and definitely up there with one of the best wins of my career. My horse tries his best every single time – it is only his third show back in six months, I am delighted with him.”
Final Results – €26,200 Pearl Stakes CSI 5*
1) Lily Attwood (GBR) & Cor Leon vd Vlierbeek Z – 0 / 0 – 34.54
2) Olivier Perreau (FRA) & GL Events Dorai d`Auguilly – 0 / 0 – 34.93
3) Koen Vereecke (BEL) & Lector vd Bisschop – 0 / 0 – 35.67
Source: Press Release by Niki McEwen for the Royal Windsor Horse Show
Photos: © Royal Windsor Horse Show / Peter Nixon
Categories: CSI 5*, English, Jumper News Great Britain
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