‘SIZE MAKES HIM NIPPY’

Alexander Whewall crowned intermediate champion

“I can’t believe it,” smiled Alexander Whewall after pulling off the biggest win of his career in the Smith & Williamson intermediate championship on Saturday riding Lisa Coward’s Chakiris Star (right).

Alex meets the 10-year-old son of Chakiris at competitions, as

Lisa keeps the gelding at home and does all the fitness and schooling herself, only boxing him to Alex’s for dressage and jumping lessons.

“Star is only just 16.1hh and 7/8ths thoroughbred, so quite slight. To look at him you might not think he can do it, but his size makes him nippy,” said Alex, 28, who runs a yard of 13 horses at his parents’ Bristol base and trains with Lizzel Winter.

“Star didn’t event until he was seven because originally I did dressage with him,” added Lisa. “He’s an inward worrier and hates thinking he’s done something wrong. Each time we’ve moved up a level we thought, ‘Let’s just see’.”

Oliver Townend finished second on Peter Finer and Posy Kopanski’s Master Trump. Emily King slotted into third on Dargun.

Two-phase leader Caroline Harris was fourth after stopping the clock 45 seconds adrift of the optimum with Billy Bumble.

Louisa Lockwood retired Shannondale Quest, third after showjumping, at the BETA combination (19ab) following their second refusal on course.

Lucinda Fredericks withdrew Britannias Mail ahead of the final phase when lying fourth.