Hickstead, England – July 29, 2023 – It was a British clean sweep in Saturday morning’s €26,200 The Royal International Salver CSIO 5*, with the host nation taking eight of the top nine placings. The win went to 21-year-old Jack Whitaker (GBR) on Equine America Valmy de La Lande, giving the rider his first Longines International Arena win for more than a decade.
Forty-one combinations representing Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, the United States lined up in the first round of the 1.50m challenge and twelve of them advanced to the tiebreaker. In the end, it was the British rider and the 14-year-old Selle Français (Mylord Carthago*HN x Starter)who came out on top, posting their second flawless performance in 41.15 seconds for the win.
Will Edwards (GBR) gave his friend a run for the money on SHW Candies B (Chacco-Blue x Heartbreaker) but had to settle for second after being clocked six-tenths of a second slower.
Another young rider from the host nation claimed the third spot on the podium as Joseph Stockdale (GBR) rode Ebanking (Etoulon x VDL Sheraton) across the finish line in 42.68 seconds.
Winner’s Circle – Jack Whitaker (GBR)
“I knew there was a few fast ones behind me. One of my good mates, Will Edwards, has got a very fast horse, so I thought I had to put the pressure on him – and he just wasn’t fast enough, was he?” joked Jack, who ended up just 0.6sec faster than Edwards. “Valmy’s been my best horse for a few years now. He’s serious, and we know each other inside and out. He was good for me today – I had a few rogue shots in the jump-off, and he took off for me every time. He was on the ball.”
Final Results – €26,200 The Royal International Salver CSIO 5* – 1.50m
1) Jack Whitaker (GBR) & Equine America Valmy de La Lande – 0 / 0 – 41.15
2) Will Edwards (GBR) & SHW Candies B – 0 / 0 – 41.75
3) Joseph Stockdale (GBR) & Ebanking – 0 / 0 – 42.68
Source: Press Release (edited) from Hickstead Press Office for the All England Jumping Course – Hickstead
Photos: © Elli Birch / Bootsandhooves Photography
Categories: CSIO 5*, English, Jumper News Great Britain
