Laura Renwick dominates with a one-two
Britain’s number one lady rider travels to triumph in her chosen class, while one pair book their ticket to Hickstead and another successfully defend their title
“YOU leave us county show people alone,” joked Phillip Miller after Laura Renwick travelled here for one class and took the top two places in the International Stairway.
Despite Phillip’s ribbing and her frequent forays overseas, Britain’s number one lady rider has been a long-term supporter of this show. She was here to take Dominant H and MHS Washington for a spin before heading to a four-star show with them in the Netherlands the following week.
With torrential rain before the show and during most of day one, plus high-speed performances from the King’s Troop musical ride, the ground in the grand ring could have been problematic.
Instead, it held up remarkably well. It was holding, but Kelvin Bywater searched for the best areas and designed the perfect 13-fence course. Although the fences were up to height, the course wasn’t too technical and a big crowd enjoyed some great jumping.
Just four combinations were clear and they were joined in the jump-off by the fastest four-faulters, Keith Doyle and Harlequin Dunraven. However, Keith had to settle for fifth place when all four of his rivals were clear again.
Abbe Burchmore-Eames set the ball rolling with a lovely round on Wilandri E. They eventually finished fourth, but this was the culmination of a wonderful two days for the Hertfordshire-based rider and the 14-year-old Lupicor gelding she has partnered for the past nine years.
“Billy” finished runner-up in the previous day’s area trial and Abbe is now looking forward to a special date.
“I got a phone call yesterday from Hickstead inviting me to jump in the Queen’s Cup at the Royal International,” she explained. “That’s a dream come true on the horse of my dreams. When we pulled in to this show and I saw the mud, I knew Billy would love it here. Whatever I did, Helen [Tredwell] and Laura were going to be faster, so I just let him enjoy himself.”
Helen Tredwell was next on Colin and Ann Garrett’s Sebastian VII. The son of Unbelievable Darco was again foot-perfect, albeit with a hefty rattle at the penultimate fence, to take the lead by a good margin.
“I thought we’d had it down and I was effing and blinding all the way to the last!” said Helen. “I couldn’t have asked any more of him.”
With the fastest two firstround clears, Laura Renwick booked herself the best jump-off spots. Her first ride, the Irishbred MHS Washington, gave everything a foot to move ahead by more than two seconds and guarantee her owner-rider the top spot. Then back came Laura on another nine-year-old, Nancy Pinchen’s Dominant H, who sneaked ahead by almost 0.5 of a second.
Laura rode the bouncy gelding while Yazmin Pinchen was on
‘She so rarely has faults, but she really apologised’ PHILLIP MILLER ON UNBELIEVABLE LADY
maternity leave and he returned to her at the beginning of May.
“I’m so grateful to the
Pinchens. I didn’t think he was a quick horse, but he won a worldranking class in France a fortnight ago,” said Laura. “He’s a cheeky chappie and I love riding him.
He’s my sort of horse.”
Tracy Priest and Caristo VDL were on winning form in the previous day’s area trial. Tracy was determined to retain the title she and the 10-year-old gelding took last year and “Silva” answered every question to beat Abbe Burchmore-Eames (Wilandri E) by more than 2.5 seconds.
“Kelvin Bywater did a fantastic job. Due to the ground, the course rode a good four holes bigger than it looked and I had to work hard, but once Silva got used to it, he went better and better,” said Tracy.
Phillip Miller and Shirley Light’s Unbelievable Lady, who made the jump-off as the fastest four-faulters, moved up to third place with a super clear.
“She so rarely has faults that it surprised us both, but she really apologised afterwards,” said Phillip.
Mennell Watson suffered reverse fortunes. He and Whisper In The Wind were clear in round one, but a fence down in the jump-off dropped them into fifth place behind Tim Page (Duc D’Arsouilles). However, the blow was softened by a one-two in the earlier speed class and a £250 leading rider’s prize at the end of the show.
“That’s showjumping,” said Mennell. “And I have to congratulate the organisers. No horse slipped and the ground was as perfect as it could be after all that rain.”
TOUGH AT THE TOP
Mike Bainbridge’s course for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) grade C qualifier proved tough enough and just five went against the clock. There was the perfect result when the three who were clear again booked their places in the final.
Katie Pytches won from the front on the stunning sevenyear-old CSF Olympic Lady. This Luidam x Cruising mare has enormous scope and a great brain.
“She’s so cool. I rode
‘Orange’ after Holly Smith broke her leg and I loved her so much that Holly let me buy her two months ago. She’s a special horse and I owe Holly everything,” said Leicestershirebased Katie, who evented at two-star level before turning to showjumping.
Second place went to Helen Tredwell with two great rounds on New Priory Stud’s Funnycan, while last-drawn Harry Whall coped brilliantly with the pressure to finish third on Moorby Stud’s eight-year-old stallion If Ever III.
Local girl Ruby Pointer’s victory on Calinka II in day two’s 1.20m class was her first win in the competition in memory of the late Maureen Holden, a great rider from Norfolk, and her legendary horse Mr Vee. Twelveyear-old Atiya Bussey finished fifth on Westwinds Ego and another fifth place in the previous day’s 1.25m class was enough to give her a £250 bonus as the leading Norfolk rider.
Tim Page left it late to make his mark, but the “Lewis Hamilton” of the showjumping world showed his prowess behind the wheel to take the top two ride-and-drive spots on Elvera and Granby. Tim took home £1,375 for his efforts and the only drawback as far as he was concerned was that wife Alicia didn’t finish third.
“I actually wanted Alicia to win,” he said.
We’re not sure we believe that Tim!