Yorkshire cheer as showjumping events begin

Showjumping got under way at the Great Yorkshire Show with a popular triumph for Huddersfield’s John Whitaker.

He won the William Hanson Stakes riding Argento, taking a victory circuit of the main ring to huge applause from the audience.

The first showjumping class of the three-day show attracted some of the country’s leading riders. Along with John, the Whitaker family was also well represented by Robert, William, Louise and their cousin, Joe Clayton. Other top riders competing included Will Funnell, Geoff Billington, Tina Fletcher and Northallerton’s Paul Barker.

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The course claimed some unexpected casualties in the first round including Mrs Fletcher and her Hickstead Derby winning partner Promised Land. After having the third fence down, Mrs Fletcher decided to retire the exuberant horse. Afterwards she wasn’t downhearted and said: “He’s often like that on the first day.”

James Shore, 16, whose father, Keith, was also competing, did well to cope with the atmosphere in the main ring to finish on four faults with Mystic Hurricane.

Out of 27 riders, 14 went clear to go through to the jump-off. First to go was Paul Barker, riding Temple Ryefield, who finished with four faults. The heat was on when Tim Davies was the first to go clear with Valentino and the temperature went up again when John Whitaker followed with a speedy clear round on Argento.

David McPherson and Billy Bishop were the next to go clear but not fast enough to beat Mr Whitaker’s time of 43.95. He has been building up a successful partnership with Argento who could be in the running as an Olympic ride. In recent weeks their placings include a second at the Charles Stanley British Masters in Cheshire.

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“He’s only nine and it’s the first time he’s jumped here and it’s a big, imposing ring,” said Mr Whitaker. “He’s been on fantastic form in the past few weeks but you never know when they go in that ring how they will react, he did really well.”

The final placings were: 1st John Whitaker on Argento, 2nd Tim Davies on Valentino, 3rd David McPherson on Billy Bishop and 4th Keith Shore on Stranger. Today, riders will compete in the International Stairway competition followed by the Rudding Park Great Yorkshire Championship.

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