Big Star Wins Again with Skelton in Wellington

The fifth week of competition at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival concluded on Sunday with the $25,00 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic, and it was Nick Skelton (GBR) and Big Star, owned by Beverly and Gary Widdowson, who proved victorious over a field of 65 entries.

Alan Wade of Co. Tipperary, Ireland, designed today's courses and set a first-round track that 11 combinations would clear. Skelton and Big Star, an eight-year-old KWPN stallion by Quick Star x Nimmerdor, cleared the jump-off in 40.985 seconds, a blazing time that beat second place finisher McLain Ward (USA) and Louisburg Farm's Esplanade 7, by more than two seconds. Ward and Esplanade were clear in 43.131 seconds. Marie Hecart (FRA) and Babbe Van't Roosakker, owned by Haras De La Rogue, were third in 43.314 seconds.

Skelton did not see Ward's jump-off ride. “He told me he wasn't very fast, but knowing him I didn't believe him,” Skelton joked. “I've never seen him not go fast! I thought I'd go nice, but every time I turned I had a good distance.

He's a fast horse anyway. I think I got it into that double (combination). I had an unbelievable shot to it and I think it got sent from above. It was perfect. I didn't think I was almost three seconds faster.”

This is the second big win for Big Star, who also claimed victory the $40,000 Equine Couture/Tuff Rider Grand Prix in week two. Skelton won another Suncast 1.50m classic in week one.

“He's a freak of a horse for eight years old,” Skelton said of his mount. “You have to remember how old he is and not get carried away. He's still got to get the experience, but he's a great jumper. He has everything: scope, the mind, unbelievable talent. I'm very lucky to have him.”

For full results please visit www.showgroundslive.com and for more information, visit www.equestriansport.com.

Final Results: $25,000 Suncast
1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic

1 BIG STAR – NICK SKELTON BEVERLY : 0/0/40.985
2 ESPLANADE 7 – MCLAIN WARD : 0/0/43.131
3 BABBE – VAN'T ROOSAKKER MARIE HECART: 0/0/43.314
4 PALDATUS – SALVADOR ONATE : 0/0/51.337
5 MADEMOISELLE – BEEZIE MADDEN : 0/4/41.378
6 LIPTON DE L''OTHAIN – PETER WYLDE : 0/4/42.130
7 SECRET – ANDRES RODRIGUEZ : 0/4/43.268
8 OLMIFON D'AS – LAURA KRAUT : 0/4/45.228
9 OSIRIS – GEMMA PATERNOSTER : 0/4/52.312
10 DOMINO – MCLAIN WARD : 0/8/41.978
11 G&C SINATRA- PABLO BARRIOS : 0/RET
12 OCEANE DE NANTUEL – MARIE HECART : 1/82.696