Nick Skelton gains a double of international wins at HOYS

Nick Skelton and Big Star. By Roberto Cubbedo

Fresh from his European Championship bronze medal, Nick Skelton made an instant splash upon his return to Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) as the international classes got under way for the week. The Warwickshire-based British Number Two made the ideal start to his campaign at the "World's Most Famous Horse Show" by landing the Grandstand Welcome Stakes with Beverley Widdowson's Unique from first draw in the jump-off.
Good start
"Unique's had five weeks' holiday and today's course was a nice one to start off with," said European bronze medallist Nick. "He's a nice horse who can be used for all types off classes."

Nick's current vein of form was further illustrated when he went on to land the Jump 4 Joy Ltd Trophy, the last international class of the day. Nick’s mount Big Star had previously landed the Six-Year-Old Championship at HOYS in 2009 and by taking tonight’s prestigious title which carries world ranking points and contributes towards the Leading Show Jumper of the Year Grand Prix on the final evening of the show, has proved what an elite prospect he is for Nick. World Number 10 Dennis Lynch took the early lead with an impressive round which kept him in that position for another 14 riders. However, Nick utilised all his skill and expertise to slice off 1.65 seconds from this time with a superbly fast clear round.

Foxhunter
Guy Williams' prediction that he would win the Horse & Hound Foxhunter Championship with Andy Doswell's Djakarta came true tonight as he took the class by two seconds from nine rivals in the thrilling jump-off. The eight-year-old mare has a phenomenal record both nationally and internationally with Guy, making her the favourite to win.

"Every show she goes to, she wins a class," said Guy. "She never touches a fence and goes quickly, even in the first round. The course tonight suited her really well and I was able to spin her back to fences in the jump-off to save even more time."

Retained win
Just before the emotional retirement of her reliable speed horse Kanselier, then aged 18, at last year's HOYS, Ellen Whitaker won the Xerox Special Event Services Cup with him. Stamping her mark on the first day of international show jumping, she reclaimed the class tonight with her relatively new partner Arena UK Lando, who is owned by Norman Olly.

"I got him at the beginning of the year," said Ellen of the chestnut gelding. "I liked everything about him, not just his jumping ability but also his character."