Whitaker leads a strong British challenge

John Whitaker just misses out in a high-octane jump-off, while there’s a milestone for a popular gelding who has returned from a broken leg

- JENNIFER DONALD

CSI3* Vilamoura Champions Tour, Portugal

THE majority of Britain’s leading showjumpers are currently scattered across Europe chasing competition opportunities, but a particular corner of Portugal, and Vilamoura’s six-week Champions Tour, has proved to be the most popular of all.

Entries for the three-star classes in week two hovered around the 100-mark, and even qualifying for Sunday’s 1.50m grand prix was a feat in itself. But 60 combinations went to post with 12 clears producing a pulsating jump-off.

The spoils went to Dutch rider Kim Emmen riding the 11-year-old Toulon gelding Jack Van Het Dennehof with the fastest double clear in 38.26sec. But challenging from the penultimate draw, John Whitaker and Old Lodge’s gelding Sharid, also by Toulon, produced a formidable performance over the imposing 1.50m track, finishing just 1.55sec behind for second and a €10,220 (£9,240) prize.

“I just lost it to the final fence – I didn’t quite get the turn I wanted,” explained John, fresh from a string of good results on the Spanish Sunshine Tour. “I was late to go, so I knew what I had to do and just didn’t quite manage it this time, but he really upped his game today. It was a tough course – all the rankings classes this week have been a real test.”

Just behind the Yorkshireman in third place was Brazilian rider Yuri Mansur with the great Vitiki (see box, top right), while Irishman David Simpson (Foudre F) and Scotsman Douglas Duffin (Linares BG) finished in the money with four faults apiece against the clock.