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| Robert Whitaker and Casino win £10,000in the grand prix |
Entries were huge, probably the biggest I've seen in the 10 years I've been frequenting the Lincolnshire venue, and director Lauren Humphries confirmed this saying stables were up by 250 to 1057 this year. That's one whole lots of bedding to get rid of.
Ssangyong Major Grand Prix
The Ssangyong Major Grand Prix on Saturday night was watched by a packed house and course designer Di Boddy buit a superb track for the £10,000 and Rexton for the year first prize.
Seven had made the jump-off and Robert Whitaker, as second last to go, took the win from his father John (Argento), in second, and cousin Ellen (CS Online), third, who jumped the only other double clears in the class.
The prize fund makes it the most lucrative win on the British national circuit and how brave of Arena UK to put up the prize fund for it. You really do need the entries to even come close to half covering a prize fund like that, but it certainly did attract some of the best riders in the country. And, it looks as though the prize fund is here to stay, or maybe even increase.
Norman Oley, owner of Arena UK, told me: "This year we have provided the prize money ourselves, but we are looking for a title sponsor to make it even bigger and better. Ssangyong have supplied us with taxed and insured cars for this and other classes, which has boosted the prizes and I think, in terms of entries, it is now the biggest grand prix in the country."
More cars
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| Lauren Humpries hands 1.05m Grand Prix winner Tom Hearne his mini keys |
Last year, Hannah Mousley headed the 1.05m Grand Prix with Temple Croesus, but a rule change excluding riders who have competed at the British Open, put her out of contention this year. Instead, her sister Sarah represented the family and won the 95cm Grand Prix with Sonybanta.
Sarah spent the early part of the year working and training with Connor Swail in Ireland and returned the Friday before Scope. She acted as groom for her sister's partner Paul Barker there and after that he gave her Sonybanta to ride as he's got a few in. The mare is now based with Sarah, 18. What a lucky girl to get a horse with all that experience.
"I am," she agreed. "Everytime I turn a corner with her, there's a stride there."
I bet the organisers were panicking a bit when it looked like Sarah was going to tie for first in the other car-prized final, the 1.05m Grand Prix, with Ashley Ray (Lugwig H). However, last drawn Tom Hearne, a Waterford man based in Essex, spotted a cheeky turn in front of a wall to a double of verticals and took the win by one second with Diva Starz.
Tom, 22, rides for Compass Marine Fuels' owners Mr and Mrs Middleton, but his winning partner on this occasion belongs to Lisa Denton Lynn.
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| Blaze Clothing 1.30m winners Sam Hutton and For A Smile |
Sam Hutton had an excellent week, after qualifying for HOYS with Astral 57, he won the Blaze Clothing 1.30m Grand Prix with For A Smile, preventing 1.25m winner Keith Shore (Zegreanne Z) gaining a second win on the final day.
The class finished early afternoon on Sunday and Sam told me he was leaving the showground and going to celebrate with a Chinese take away he'd buy on the way home for himself and Kate Newbery, who'd been helping him all week. With early starts and late finishes all week, I was insanely jealous, as I still had three mass starter finals to cover for Horse & Hound. I'd been craving Chinese all week, so thanks for that Sam! (I still haven't made it to my local yet either.)
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| James Billington and Lerado II, Star of the Future winners |
It was good to see so many good nice young horses at the show, let's hope they stay in this country and go on to do great things. Rowena Gredley's Lerado II (Lancer) looked very impressive when winning the Star of the Future final with James Billington, and for a big horse, Pat Squibb's Quilano Z (Quick Lauro) turned like a dream to win the Venture Grand Prix for Geoff Luckett.
Holly Gillott, who more regularly competes in horse trials as well as hunting, brought her sole show jumper, Dougie Douglas (VDL Douglas) to the show and topped the Gelston Haylage five-year-old final.
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| Anthony Condon and My Molly Malone |
They way she was going at Arena UK has certainly encouraged me to plan a trip to the bookies at HOYS next week and have a flutter on her.
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| Joe Clayton and Campino II |
Thomas Whitaker and Morag Crocket's homebred seven-year-old grade C Savoy, who is by Murka's Pall Mall, belied his experience (he's just out of Foxhunters) to win the Horse Deals young riders title. Instead of blasting him round the course, Thomas, whose sister Ellen won the six-bar here with Ladina B, made the most of corner cutting tactics to secure the win.
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| Horse Deals young rider champions Thomas Whitaker and Savoy |
Happily, the puissance was without any major crashes, but, nevertheless, it was still thoroughly entertaining. Geoff Billington joined the main arena's commentator for the week, Steve Wilde, for this class and, I must admit, I learned a lot listening to him.
Geoff's explanations of why horses did or didn't clear the wall, in between his witty banter with Steve, were insightful. I am sure a lot of those who didn't reach the closing rounds will be able to take something away with them. I didn't make it to any of Geoff and Oli Townend's Champions Tour evenings last year, but the information and explanations he gave during this class has convinced me to go along this winter.
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| Ryan Prater and Safaro clear 7ft |
Afterwards, he was grateful to the backing he receives from his in laws, Suzanne and Robin Heath, who have supplied him with horses, and the support he receives from his father, Vin.
Family backing is so important in this sport. Time away from home and hectic schedules affect most of us, it certainly does me. And without understanding and supportive families, many just wouldn't make it.
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| Geoff Luckett and Quilano Z |
I'd spent the first few days of the show mostly outdoors, which was fine on the first three days when I was even able to get a late summer tan top up.
I was lucky to watch the final ride and drive qualifier, which was an absolute scream. The final, won by James Smith and Cumina, was driven in a four by four, but the qualifier was driven in a buggy, which was far more entertaining!
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| Keith Watkins juggles with the ride and drive cones balls |
Summer gave autumn a miss on Thursday evening and went straight into winter, starting with an impressive thunder storm coupled with a monsoon. The rain continued on Friday morning, and I stood shivering ringside with course designer Keith Watkins and I suddenly realised something.
The judges were protected in their boxes, the collecting ring stewards had their own boxes, but the course builders and arena party had nowhere to hide. Then I thought, have I ever seen anywhere for the arena party to shelter? I don't think I have.
After years of stewarding at various venues without a box to hide in from the elements, I was ecstatic when a steward's box first appeared at I show I was at. It was at Lincoln horse trials, in about 1995, and I had a garden shed. No soggy sandwiches for me on that occasion.
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| Gelston Haylage five-year-old winners Holly Gillot and Dougie Dougls |
So now the shows in Britain move indoors again. Here's to more late nights, freezing toes and longing for the summer to return quickly.
For results click here
Read my report on the show in Horse & Hound on Thursday, 30 September
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