Former World Champion Dermott Lennon made a triumphant return to Royal Windsor following a 10-year absence, claiming the Alltech Grand Prix.
Irish fortunes
Riding the 13-year-old mare Loughview Lou-Lou, the Irish rider finished nearly two seconds clear of Robert Whitaker and Catwalk IV to take home the Kingdom of Bahrain trophy. Horse & Country blogger Yasmin Pinchen finished third with Van De Vivaldi, having set a strong time early on.
“I’d watched Yazmin Pinchen go and she rode a great round,” said Dermott. “My main concern was getting over the planks, but once I’d done that I was able to go.”
Fellow Irishman Billy Twomey rode Ardcolumn Duke to win the Bahrain Pearl Stakes on Friday. With an early draw in a 17-strong jump-off, Billy had no option but to put the pressure on his following competitors with a fast clear. “He’s always competitive, and I knew if I put in a good time I’d be in with a good chance,” said Billy.
Leading ladies
Brit Laura Renwick secured her second win of the week, partnering Rembrandt Blue to victory in the Speed Stakes. Cementing her reputation as the one to beat against the clock, Laura had already won Friday’s Manama Speed Stakes, this time riding the seven-year-old Ulievka de Breve.
Despite winning two national classes earlier this week, American showjumper Laura Kraut had been yet to claim an international win at Royal Windsor. The former Olympic gold medallist’s wait was finally ended on Saturday when she won the Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes for the King’s Cup, riding the 11-year-old mare Nouvelle.
In the 10-strong jump-off, Kraut produced a superb round to win by a huge margin of more five seconds from Britain’s Robert Smith on Bavi.
“Nouvelle has been unlucky with injuries and sickness – and after investigation, she was found to have cysts on her ovaries,” said Laura, whose mare has since been treated. “She’s now much happier and I am so pleased for her owners.”
Driving
The USA’s Chester Weber won back-to-back titles in the Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix after an exciting conclusion to the competition.
Sitting in second place overnight, Chester finished with 0.18 time penalties in the final cones phase. Overnight leader Boyd Exell looked set to claim the title but a slip and then a knocked cone meant he finished 2.5pen behind Weber.
In the pony four-in-hand, Bram Chardon – son of top driver Ijsbrand Chardon – finished a whopping 20 penalties ahead of Tinne Bax from Belgium.
Pony showing
Alice Homer, 11, claimed the show hunter pony championship on the concluding day of the show. The daughter of show producer Loraine Homer and the granddaughter of legendary showman David Tatlow rode 133cm victor Annandale Maria to claim the tricolour.
In the mountain and moorland working hunter pony championship, brother and sister Charlie and Tori Oakes dominated proceedings, with Tori taking the championship on the highland pony Cairns Fergus and Charlie standing reserve with the welsh section B gelding, Chetwynd Caspar.
The show pony championship went to Lucile Bywater with Broadgrove Only You, an eight-year old pony from the 138cm ranks.
All the Queen’s horses
Her Majesty The Queen’s Barber’s Shop, ridden by Katie Jerram, won the Tattersalls Retraining of Racehorses class, having finished second in the ladies hunters on the opening day of the show. The Queen was there to watch her horse claim the coveted title.
The RoR/Thoroughbred Breeders Association Retrained Racehorse Challenge Championship – which sees racehorses complete a working hunter style course before being judged on the flat – went toRester Vrai and Katie Dashwood.
Simon Charlesworth landed the cob and hack titles for the second year running. Fait Acobbli once again took home the cob title, while the hack championship went to the promising novice Mountstephen Showman.
Dressage
Following his win in the FEI Grand Prix on Thursday, Carl Hester also claimed the Freestyle to music on Friday. Carl Hester and his World Equestrian Games partner Nip Tuck scored 79.45%, which was just short of a personal freestyle best for the pair.
“My aim was 80% and we didn’t quite make it – perhaps the walk wasn’t quite the same as in the Grand Prix but no matter, he was really good,” said Carl, who also received a special award from The Queen at the show.
Fiona Bigwood made an emotional return to the top with her mare Atterupsgaards Orthilia. Fiona suffered a serious fall a year ago, and was competing with an eye patch to help with double vision. Her husband Anders Dahl and Wie Atlantico finished third.
Endurance
Three riders shared the honours in the Royal Windsor Endurance 120km CEI2* competition. His Highness Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Murbarak Al Khalifa and Raed Mahmood, all from Bahrain, recorded the same finish time of 5hrs 33 minutes and 11 seconds to share first prize.
In fourth position, with a time of 05:45:02 was David Yeoman of Great Britain.