Robert Wins £25,000, Breaks British Open Record and wins a Championship Third Title

After four days of international competition, Robert Whitaker achieved what no other has managed and took the British Open Championship title for a
third time.

Robert rode the talented Lacroix 9 in all four legs of the competition which was an unusual tactic in the sense that no other Champion has won using the same horse in all elements. The other riders all chose to use two horses and keep their top horse fresh for the Final, going against the grain certainly worked in Robert’s favour today. Fourteen year-old Lacroix 9 jumped carefully all week to keep Robert at the top of the leader board going in to today’s Final and the partnership kept their cool in the crucial jump-off. Overnight joint leader Kevin Staut had the terrible misfortune of falling off early in the course eliminating him and immediately ending his British Open dream. Eventual second and third place went to Nathalie van der Mei and Robert Smith respectively. This was Nathalie’s first show in England and proved she is able to produce excellent away form. Robert Smith rode a cracking jump-off on Vangelis S but it wasn’t enough to catch Robert Whitaker who dominated this competition with first-class jumping from the start.

23,000 visitors graced the LG Arena for the British Open to enjoy the fabulous jumping and exquisite equestrian entertainment including a spell binding display by Jean Francois Pignon. Grandstand Event Management, Managing Director, Helena Pettit commented,” It has been a really fabulous show. Visitor numbers are significantly up on last year’s event and the feedback from visitors, competitors and those involved has been extremely positive. We are also delighted with the Championship result and very pleased Robert has succeeded in breaking yet another British Open record.”

This year’s British Speed Stakes started in true style with strong line up of competitors. The triumphant winner was Laura Renwick on her super speedy mare Limelight de Breve. British leading lady Laura set the unbeatable time of 55.99 seconds early on in the competition. Swiss rider Marcus

Fuchs finished second on Granie 5 in a time of 58.70. While Robert Smith and Columbia 11 competed the course in 59.27 to gain third place.

The PCA Futura Final saw Helen Tredwell and Naomi V gain their first win from the past four days. Six of the 18 riders in the class went through to the jump-off where Helen rode an impressive clear in the fastest time of 30.61 seconds. Mark Bunting and bay mare Arletter II finished second with a double clear and a time of 31.53 seconds. Mark was followed by Joe Clayton riding Saveur, in third, in a time of 33.77 seconds.

In other show competitions, Team KP Equestrian and The A Team drew in the Celebrity Arena Polo competition. Katie Price was unable to compete due to a recently sustained injury to her knee and she was replaced by the British Open’s very own Marketing & PR Manger Jade de Vere-Drummond, and the rest of her team. British Show Jumping Ambassador Amy Guy showed great skill and courage playing a pivotal result in the resulting score.