Nick Skelton and Big Star Repeat victory in the Grand Prix in Wellington
Nick Skelton (GBR) and Beverly Widdowson's Big Star earned yet another victory at the FTI WEF in the $80,000 Pennfield Feeds CSI 3* Grand Prix. Skelton and Big Star beat out Cian O'Connor (IRL) and KEC Alligator Alley and David McPherson (GBR) and Chamberlain Z in a three horse jump-off.
The Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series presented by the Dutta Corporation in association with Guido Klatte concluded, and Egypt's Nayel Nassar took the top spot in the overall standings, followed by Charlotte Jacobs (USA), Lydia Ulrich (USA) and Liza Finsness (USA), who was the only clear round in today's class.
Sponsored by Artisan Farms, week ten ran from March 14-18. Week 11, which features the USEF Selection Trials for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games, runs March 21-25.
Sunday's course was set by Michel Vaillancourt of Aiken, SC. The class saw 45 competitors and just three were able to clear the first round course to advance to the jump-off. Returning to defend their title as the winners of the same class in 2011, Skelton and Big Star were the only pair to go double clear for the victory and also completed the fastest round in 39.95 seconds.
Cian O'Connor and KEC Alligator Alley, owned by Sinead and Oonagh Kennedy, had one rail at the last jump and a time of 41.93 seconds to finish second. David McPherson and Chamberlain Z, owned by McPherson and Mr. & Mrs. Holtgers, also had a rail in the jump-off and their time of 42.49 seconds placed third.
Big Star is a nine-year-old KWPN stallion by Quick Star x Nimmerdor. Skelton and Big Star were the first pair to show in the day's class and held the only clear round for most of the afternoon. O'Connor and McPherson did not show until 40th and 41st in the order of go, and cleared the course back to back.
Commenting on the jump-off, Skelton detailed, “He's a quick horse, but I didn't go crazy fast. He jumped really good. When you've got two like this after you, you never know what's going to happen. Don't believe any of them when they tell you they're just going for a steady clear. Even if there are only two in the jump-off, you've still got to go. You can't be nonchalant about it. You've got to get stuck in and go.”
Skelton acknowledged the great success that he has had with all of his horses during this year's FTI WEF. “The horses have gone really well here,” he said. “I'm lucky because I've got two very, very good horses. Probably as good as anybody's got. That makes life a lot easier. They make me look good.”
Second place finisher Cian O'Connor has also had a great circuit and was pleased with his mount today. “I'm very happy with Alligator. I just got him at the start of this circuit. Before that he was doing 1.40m in Ireland,” O'Connor noted. “He has never really even traveled outside of the country, so he has come a long way. When you look at the start list, you would think Nick Skelton and Big Star are the class act in the field. To be second to them is a big honor and a big deal. I'm certainly very, very pleased with my horse today.”
Commenting on his round, O'Connor stated, “I knew Big Star would be very quick. Even naturally he's very quick without going fast, and Nick is a fast rider. I reckoned even if I had a couple down, I was going to be third. I went for a medium round. As it happened, if I had left the fence up, I was still going to be second, so it didn't really make any difference. When the horse is learning to jump this level, there's no harm to turn back inside and across fences. He was off the pace, but if they don't get closer to the pace, you can't just go from schooling to going fast. It's all part of this horse's career, which will hopefully take off at the bigger shows in Europe this summer.”
Third place finisher David McPherson was also happy with his horse Chamberlain Z and today's outcome. “He has finally got it together today and he jumped great,” McPherson said. “Under no circumstances would he ever catch Nick. Also I have not been in many jump-offs with him. He has jumped fabulous round after fabulous round, but I didn't want to go and do anything lunatic. I'm pleased with him.”
McPherson praised Skelton, a fellow British rider, on his success. “He's brilliant on two fabulous horses at the moment. He's riding with absolute confidence. It just looks like he's in the groove,” he acknowledged. “It is very rare that you have those 'purple patches' that are so sustained. It looks like he's going to have a phenomenal year.”
Final Results: $80,000 Pennfield Feeds CSI 3* Grand Prix
1. BIG STAR: 2003 KWPN stallion by Quick Star x Nimmerdor
NICK SKELTON (GBR), Beverly and Gary Widdowson: 0/0/39.95
2. KEC ALLIGATOR ALLEY: 2002 Irish Sport Horse gelding by Aldatus Z x Clover Hill
CIAN O'CONNOR (IRL), Sinead & Oonagh Kennedy: 0/4/41.93
3. CHAMBERLAIN Z: 2001 Zangersheide gelding by Chellano Z x Peter Pan
DAVID MCPHERSON (GBR), David McPherson & M/M Holtgers: 0/4/42.49
4. BLUE CURACAO: 2001 BWP mare by Mr. Blue x Dark D'Amour
ALEXANDRA THORNTON (GBR), Dunwalke LLC: 1/85.57
5. AHORN VAN DE ZUUTHOEVE: 2002 Hanoverian gelding by Acorado x Calypso II
RICHIE MOLONEY (IRL), Equinimity LLC: 1/87.91
6. SHOWGIRL: 2000 Selle Francais mare by Gold De Becourt x Elf III
JONATHAN ASSELIN (CAN), Attache Stables: 2/91.70
7. AMARETTO D'ARCO: 2000 BWP stallion by Darco x Tenor Manciais
SHANE SWEETNAM (IRL), Spy Coast Farm LLC: 4/78.96
8. MADEMOISELLE: 1997 Holsteiner Mare by Libertino I x Silvester
BEEZIE MADDEN (USA), Abigail Wexner: 4/81.36
9. QUINTENDER 2: 2001 Holsteiner stallion by Quinar x Contender
HENRIK GUNDERSEN (DEN), Emilie Martinsen: 4/82.22
10. CHE GUEVARA 17: 2001 Holsteiner stallion by Concept x Rebel Z
JORG OPPERMANN (GER), Heinz Eufinger: 4/82.66
11. VOYEUR: 2002 KWPN gelding by Tolano Van't Riethof x Goodwill
KENT FARRINGTON (USA), Amalaya Investments: 4/82.83
12. UTAH: 2001 KWPN gelding by Andiamo x Jus De Pomme
LESLIE HOWARD (USA), The Utah Group: 4/83.04