USA’s Beezie Madden has become the first ever woman to win the Longines King George V Gold Cup at the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead.
Thrilling jump-off
As you’d expect from one of the world’s most coveted titles, the class attracted showjumping’s biggest names providing a thrilling jump-off which went down to the wire.
Beezie took the title at the very last minute to jump into the record books – in a class which has only been open to women since 2008.
“I was always kind of jealous not to compete in the King George and now to win it is a great feeling,” Beezie said.
Brits
Out of 49 starters 14 jumped clear, only two of which came from Britain courtesy of Michael Whitaker (Amai) and his nephew Robert (Catwalk).
Last year’s King George winner Ben Maher had three down onboard Diva II, while Will Funnell – who had won the Bunn Leisure Trophy earlier in the week – retired withBilly Angelo.
It also wasn’t to be for Phillip Miller who had eight faults on his 2013 Hickstead Derby winner Caritiar Z.
Incredible clear
Michael, who last won the King George in 1994, was second to go in the jump-off.Never one to hang about he came in very tight to the planks which he had down – but it was a fast four faults in a time of 48.60. Robert also posted a fast time (49.46), but had three down.
USA’s Laura Kraut had a crack at Shane’s time, but she held the mare a little too tight down the final line, which put her just over a second slower.
It was then Australian rider James Paterson-Robinson turn to have a crack at the leader. He was very fast with Boris III, coming in tight to the second to last to beat Shane into second place with a time of 51.14.
Flyer to the last
As the riders kept coming, the times kept getting faster. Third to last was Irish rider Bertam Allen who’s confidence against the clock belied his young age. The 19-year-old took a flyer to the last to post an incredibly fast time of 47.09 with Romanov – a horse just three years younger than his rider.
Even Germany’s Marcus Ehning couldn’t better his round with Plot Blue, although he gave it a good crack jumping clear in a time of 47.91.
Last to go was Beezie who despite looking slower over the fences was more than one second faster to win the class in a time of 46.01. This put Bertram in second place and Marcus in third.
Special horse
“Cortes has a huge stride,” explained Beezie “He’s a big, scopey horse but he also lands and picks up right away and just goes. He covers the ground really well.”
Competing against showjumping greats didn’t seem to phase Bertram, although he did admit it was an “honour to be in this company”.
“I don’t really get nervous, it was just great to go into a big arena,” said Bertram. “Romanov’s a really special horse and he’s been jumping absolutely super, but I knew if Beezie was clear she’d be faster than me.”
Great form
Beezie only recently returned to competition following surgery to a broken collarbone in May. She has come back in great form leading the USA to victory in the Nations Cup with a double clear, prior to today’s big win.
“We tried to have Cortes fit and ready to go for Hickstead,” said Beezie. “He felt bit a tired in the first round and I thought ‘oh gosh, how’s he going to be in the jump-off, but he really pulled through.
“I didn’t watch Bertram’s round, but I know how fast he can go so I knew what I needed to do.”