Sparks Fly For Golden Duo

A skewbald heads Gold Cup lineup while the reigning HOYS WHP champion settles for reserve.

- Tricia Johnson

BSPS The White Company Gold Cup Final, Burghley, Lincs

AN already superb day reached a new height for Oxfordshire-based Madeline Plumb when her 2018 143cm class victor here, Allandy Gold Spark (Andy), went one better to give her a first British Show Pony Society (BSPS) White Company Burghley Gold Cup title — and a coveted flower sash.

It was tears all round for Madeline, 17, as this is her final season with the athletic 16-year-old skewbald, on lease to the Plumb family from the Aungiers.

This unique competition — comprising dressage, working hunter and final showjumping in reverse order of merit — again drew massive ringside interest throughout the day, and Lisa Kelly’s inventive, testing course garnered much praise.

Offering the possibility for riders to gain 10 — or lose 20 — marks, the imposing joker fence proved influential. Madeline and Andy made it look easy, though, clearing it to move up from fourth place after the first two phases to win their class by 17 marks.

‘GREAT QUALITY AND PRESENCE’