Whitakers top bill as Hull puts on a show

Britain’s first gold medal in this sport for 60 years not only thrilled spectators at Greenwich Park but also a massive television audience.

Nick Skelton, Ben Maher, Scott Brash and Peter Charles all played vital roles in winning this medal on home ground.

There was disappointment so far as the individual medals were concerned, particularly for Skelton, but what memories they will have of winning gold.

“Show-jumping has had some very high profile television coverage in the last few days, it could really ramp up the game,” said Michael Bainbridge, from the Port Royal Equestrian Centre at Holme on Spalding Moor.

He and the other organisers of Hull Show, which runs tomorrow, are hoping the Olympic effect will encourage even more spectators to attend the day of show-jumping.

Entry is free for spectators and last year there was a crowd of around 25,000.

This is the third year that top class show-jumping is being held in East Park, following a break of nearly 30 years.

John, Robert and Louise Whitaker are among the riders who have entered for the show and Bainbridge is expecting a good turn out of other well-known riders.

As well as a grand ring for the big competitions, there will be two other rings in action, one featuring the northern region’s senior novice competitions and Hull Show finals and a third for junior riders.

There will be a public course walk in the main ring before the main class of the day – John Whitaker led this last year – and there will also be a parade by the York and Ainsty hounds.

The show is organised by British Showjumping’s Area 15a committee and last year they received an unexpected accolade from British Showjumping, whose members voted it one of the top three shows in the country.

The other two were national events, Hickstead and the Scope Festival, which was the final winner.

“This year we want to be number one in the country,” says Michael Bainbridge.

Showing classes which should have been held at the Great Yorkshire Show last month, two days of which had to be cancelled, are being held at the showground on Tuesday.

The day will concentrate on Horse of the Year Show ridden qualifier classes, but it does not include show-jumping.

Some of the country’s leading show riders and horses will be competing.

Around 680 entries have been received and these include two horses belonging to the Queen.

Stardust, a bay mare and Petition, a bay gelding, are entered in the riding horse classes, ridden by Katie Jerram from Essex.

The main ring will also 
be divided and the all-weather ring will be in operation for some classes.

Entry is free for spectators and there will be trade stands selling clothing and equestrian equipment.

The Cuddy in-hand qualifier for the Horse of the Year Show will be held at the NPS Area 4 show on August 27, which is also at the Great Yorkshire showground.