Ward shines but Hopkinson suffers late blow

Hopkinson, 19, finished the competition at the London International Horse Show in 17th with Beverley’s Scarlett Ward proving the star Yorkshire attraction by taking second on board Milena 8. Ward was edged out in a third and final round jump-off by Jess Dimmock on Capello III after a second round consisting of 14 combinations.

Hopkinson had looked to be cruising towards that second round until her mount Theunis agonising knocked down the last fence.

Hopkinson’s mother, Jayne, said: “Theo (Theunis) jumped amazing. He was really unlucky as he didn’t quite come around a corner as Sally would have liked him to.

“Therefore, he ended up a little too close and only just touched the pole. He was very unlucky, but that is showjumping.

“The experience was very good for Sally and she will be competing in the new year at the premier shows around the country and, hopefully, going to some shows abroad as well.”

Hopkinson’s mother also paid tribute to Pontefract’s Jessica Hewitt, who finished 12th at just 15 years of age.

Hewitt was on board the Rachel Evison-owned Zaronda II, who is just nine.

“She was the youngest competitor in the competition and she had a clear in the first round and then two fences in the jump-off,” she said.

“She did really well.”

In addition to Hopkinson, runner-up Ward and Hewitt, four other combinations represented Yorkshire with Joe Clayton finishing 16th on Valentin R.

He had four penalties in the first round.

Laura Robinson finished 22nd on Cree Cruiser after having eight penalties in the first round while Thomas Whitaker ended up in 23rd after 12 first-round penalties.

Completing the Yorkshire septet was Stevie Crosby, who suffered a first round elimination on Aramis Van Halbeek.

All seven riders can now look forward to an exciting 2014 with World Class Showjumping performance manager Rob Hoekstra impressed at what the country’s leading under-23 showjumpers had to offer.

“It was a very good class, all about jumping, with three clear rounds winning the title,” he said.

“To have four double clears at this level and such a good standard of jumping and talent coming through looks great for the future.”

Do you have any equestrian news? If so, email Lee Sobot at [email protected]