'He's ready to go

Jack Whitaker shows fine form with newly forged partnership with Castell 22, while Rachel Proudley's winning streak continues

- 

JACK WHITAKER and new recruit Castell 22 made a promising start to their partnership with a win in the Charles Owen under-25 final.

Bolesworth's youth classes are always quality and the large Saturday crowd was treated to one of Britain's best young talents landing the title.

The course-design team hit the right note once again, sifting the field down to a jump-off of four.

Jodie Hall McAteer (Gin Fizz D'Authuit) and Glain Watkin Jones (Heroine Pasquier) each had a rail apiece, before US visitor Lauren Skowlund and Langley HX produced the first clear.

There was a collective intake of breath from the crowd as Castell 22 rattled the first - Jack later said that the eight-year-old gelding threw a shoe, which hit the fence before sailing comfortably over the rest of the course and winning by more than two seconds.

“He was very green when we first got him, so my dad [Michael Whitaker] has been giving him some experience at small shows and he's ready to go now,” said Jack.

“This is only my third show with him, we're just getting to know each other. He’s a very cool character and takes everything in his stride. It’s a big ask - last week he did a few big classes and went straight in and took them on like a champ. So he seems like he's got a very level head and wants to do the job.”