Great Yorkshire showjumping
‘All or nothing’ tactics pay off for the Hickstead Derby winners, Billy Twomey’s careful approach brings glory and ponies are back at the show
ON the back of winning the Hickstead Derby, Nigel Coupe and Sue Simmons’ Golvers Hill (Ricky) claimed another coveted title after powering home to win the Ripon Select Foods Cock O’The North showjumping championship.
Shaking his head in disbelief, Nigel said “If anyone had said to me that I would be standing here three weeks after winning at Hickstead, I would have said it
was an impossibility.
“This is a class everyone wants to win and the tactics were all or nothing.”
The finale turned the clock back as the wars of the roses resurfaced, Nigel riding for the red-rose county of Lancashire, while Robert Smith, Yorkshireborn in the white rose county, was his nearest rival.
Assisted by Jason Abbs,
Lisa Kelly and Kevin Millman, course-designer Bob Ellis set varied courses all week and he finished with another masterpiece in his Cock O’The North track, with the traditional double of walls a major feature.
All three rounds took riders the length and breadth of the vast arena and to stand any chance of winning, the seven riders into the final jump-off had to risk tight turns and long gallops.
Seven-time winning rider Robert Smith is a master of both and he produced the first triple clear with Ilton.
Robert produced a tight turn back to the second and another into the walls before he opened up over the remaining fences.
However, after being beaten here by Robert 17 years ago Nigel Coupe had a score to settle.
“There was no shame in finishing second then, but there comes a point when you really want to win and this was pay back,” explained Nigel, who was roared on by the crowd as he too spun back to the second fence and met the walls on an angle.
A jump across the angle at the penultimate upright nearly pushed him the wrong way, but Ricky was quickly back on track and into his stride to clear the last 1.4 seconds ahead.
“Ricky is brave, covers the ground and he landed running to the next fence everywhere. This crowd love good sport and it’s great to hear them cheering on a Lancastrian,” concluded Nigel.
There was no disguising Robert’s disappointment.
“I’m gutted, but this has been a great class in front a good crowd and it’s a case of win some, lose some,” he reflected.
Also producing triple clears were next-placed Keith Shore riding Betty Brandon’s home-bred Mystic Hurricane and Hickstead Derby runners up Harriet Nuttall and A Touch Imperious.
“I knew I couldn’t catch Robert, so I played percentages and went for a clear and it was Hurry’s best round,” said Keith.
FLAMENCO DANCES TO TRIUMPH
A masterclass round by Billy Twomey secured victory in the International Stairway riding
Kim Barzilay’s Kimba Flamenco (Codi), who crossed the finish line in 50.07 seconds.
“The course was tough and not all about speed,” said Billy. “We kept tight everywhere and I chanced it a little bit on the long run to the last, but this horse is very careful.”
Jumping in reverse order of times, eight combinations progressed through to the final round, in which the pathfinders Robert Smith and Ilton produced the fastest time of all (49.53), but a rail fell for fourth place.
After Alison Barton and Roma IV lowered the final rail in a slower time, Harriet Nuttall and A Touch Imperious produced the first double clear.
But they were soon overtaken by Billy and Codi who swept into the lead with an ultra-smooth series of turns and long runs.
Helen Tredwell and the agile Larksong gave immediate chase but they had to settle for second.
It proved an intriguing climax for Billy, who would have been winning owner or winning rider as last drawn Louise Saywell was riding his own horse Dassler. Louise and Dassler posted a faster time than Billy, but the final rail fell for fifth place.
“First and second would have been nice, but it’s always nice to be on the winner,” added Billy. “Flamenco came here in good form after winning a rankings class at the British Masters and he never put a foot wrong.”
NO BLUES FOR ANNABEL
WHILE the weather was damp and miserable on the first day, the competition was anything but, and Annabel Shields set the ball rolling with Wet Wet Wet (Blue), who won the opening Haresign Bespoke Stakes.
After having a fence down in the grand prix at Keysoe, Annabel gave her flying grey a few days off in the field.
“We gave him a quick jump yesterday and he was raring to go when he got here and this was his pace,” said Annabel.
Billy Twomey and Ardcolum Duke held the lead after a great gallop to the last, but Annabel and Blue were watching in the wings and then produced a daring round in which every risk and gallop came off.
“Blue is naturally fast and after seeing Billy’s round I knew we couldn’t hang about; the run to the last was a bit nerve-racking, but we got there on a good one [stride],” concluded the rider.
Another speedy pair competing here was Louise Saywell and Feigtling (YoYo). They defied the odds to lead the 43-starter accumulator from the outset.
“He’s a great speed horse, but he jumps big tracks too and he picked up over the joker off a great forward stride. There were a lot of good horses to come so we jumped, turned and galloped to tempt the others into taking risks,” said Louise, who recently took one of the HOYS wildcards at Keysoe, where YoYo won the speed leg.
Louise and YoYo were again at the business end of the line-up a day later, but on this occasion their late drawn effort was not quick enough to overtake two Yorkshire riders, Joe Clayton and Paul Barker riding Millioninmind and Happy Boy respectively.
Again, the target was set early on as Joe Clayton set to work with Millioninmind.
“You can have a go with this horse as he is naturally fast and you don’t have to go too wild to make up time,” said Joe. “We took a couple of strides out early on and as he is careful, I kept rolling down to the last with confidence.”
A WELCOME RETURN
AFTER a gap of many years, 148cm ponies made a welcome return to Yorkshire’s great arena and The Yard Equestrian 148cm JA Classic had a thrilling finale.
With the final round in the eight-strong jump-off, Nicole Lockhead-Anderson and Christine Graham’s Claggan Gypsy Delight (Samuel) snatched victory from Oliver Fletcher riding The Bobster.
“This is a great arena to ride in,” said Nicole, who who was given the ride on Samuel when the owner’s daughter Iona broke her knee. “Samuel covers the ground well and he loves a forward rhythm and the big occasion.”
“He is bold, honest and ultracareful, and gave me a great ride,” added Nicole.
The Yorkshire Ice Cream mini major again proved a fast and furious affair with plenty of thrills and some spills. Heading the competitive field were Sophie Wicks (Sweet Baby James) and Paul Barker (Sandors Legacy).
Sophie is in her first season at this level and heeded advice given by her partner during the course walk.
“Paul said to keep a good canter and keep quite tight. We had a bit of a slip on one turn, but everything else went well,” said the delighted 10-year-old rider.