Eventing Andrew Hoy and Beth Vernon team up to claim the inaugural eventing grand prix pairs
A triple Olympic gold medallist and a 21-year-old take the top pairs honours
THE Casenove Capital eventing grand prix, a fast-and-furious relay contest for eventers and showjumpers, proved a welcome addition to the 2018 schedule, not least for the winning performance from triple Olympic gold medallist Andrew Hoy and his team-mate, showjumper Beth Vernon.
Twelve pairs were bidding for the £1,000 first prize, with the showjumpers taking on a course of coloured poles in the international arena before passing the baton to their eventing partners, who headed out across
country, returning back in front of the packed stands for a thrilling finish over the showjumps.
Despite an age gap of 38 years, Andrew, on 16-year-old Cheeky Calimbo, and Beth, riding sevenyear-old Annbalou, proved the perfect partnership. They found every short cut to post a combined time nearly 3sec clear of the field.
“It’s great do something a bit different,” said Andrew, recording his first win at a CSI event. “The jumps came up quickly, but it was a sensible course.
“It was difficult for the eventers to have the showjumping phase after our cross-country because we go out there to gallop fast,” added Andrew. “I knew Cheeky was the horse for the job. He’s cheeky by name, cheeky by nature, but he’s very careful.”
Former pony European gold medallist Beth, 21, added: “When they announced how many gold medals Andrew’s won I was astounded, he’s a legend. I watched him on the big screen and thought, ‘Oh my God, he’s going fast’ but he made it look easy.
“To win in the big arena and to share that win with someone else was really special.”
Sligo Luckyvalier was put down following a fall in the cross-country phase. His rider, Ivy Freeman-Attwood, was uninjured. Owned by Emily Rothschild, Sligo Luckyvalier completed Burghley twice with Gary Parsonage and competed at three-star with 19-year-old Ivy.