First lady leads stellar field

Third to go shines brightest in the supreme, after an impressive show stuns the star-studded judging panel

- TRICIA JOHNSON

JORDAN COOK pulled off one of the super-seamless shows for which he is renowned to nail the JM Horseboxes £1,000 overall ridden horse supreme title on day two of this novel show, inaugurated by Scott Dixon last year. Jordan’s performance on Cindy Dilasser’s lovely home-bred hack, Sutton Grange Lady Eleanor (Ellie), earned 29 marks out of a possible 30 and the magnificent Rory Gilsenan memorial trophy.

At the end of a successful evening performance, during which the atmosphere built to a crescendo worthy of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), eight top combinations came forward to be assessed under the format of two judges’ marks being displayed while one remained “secret”.

Third to go, Jordan and Ellie floated round in a league of their own, executing a technically demanding show in which even the most difficult manoeuvres looked easy. This impressed showjumper Jack Whitaker, who co-judged alongside Jo Jefferson and former HOYS show pony winner-turned-professional dancer Sam Salter, who each gave the combination 10/10.

“The horse did everything right and the rider had superb showmanship,” said Jack, who awarded a nine. “After all, a horse will only perform as well as the rider rides it. The only reason I didn’t give it 10 was that it was early on and I wanted to keep one mark in reserve just in case!”

Reserve went to Edward Young, another consummate showman, with Lauren Mollard’s ultra-mannerly Be Smart. When the eight-year-old claimed the small hunter supreme on day one, it was a poignant win for all concerned as Lauren’s father Ian – the horse’s original owner – died two years ago to the day.