Determination and experience win the day

Top German riders dominate, a Japanese Olympian flies to victory – and there’s no stopping John Whitaker

- John Whitaker

LUDGER BEERBAUM, 57, and John Whitaker, 66, continued to show the younger riders how it’s done when they claimed first and third in the penultimate 1.45m speed class, with USA’s Eve Jobs (Charleville) collecting second.

John laid down a great round with the Old Lodge’s 11-year-old gelding Sharid while Ludger, who will host the European Championships at his Riesenbeck base next month, was untouchable in 12th draw on Mila.

“I’m jumping him twice today as he had a day off yesterday,” said John, who finished in the top eight in each of the six five-star classes in London. “He’s a really good horse but I don’t think I could have found an extra two seconds today to beat Ludger!”