Copyright © 2002/2005 - all right reserved
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Copyright © 2002/2005 - all right reserved |
The first edition of the British Open Show Jumping Championships was meant to be quite a show and the organisers have fulfilled that promise. This new event was the first major indoor equestrian event to be launched for over 30 years. After the performance offered to the public by the best of the best of Show Jumping, the event is likely to rank itself high up in the show jumping calendar. The Championships contained world-class show jumping as well as the very best in equestrian entertainment during every performance and the public had a real feast. The four-day event was attended daily by about 6,000 people.
The Championships:
A total of thirty riders contested the championships over the four days. The top twelve ranked British Riders as at 1st January 2003 (Robert Smith, Michael and John Whitaker, Tim Stockdale, Richard Davenport, Andrew Davies, Robert Whitaker, Di Lampard, William Funnell, Scott Smith and John Renwick) were automatically qualified to compete at the British Open. They were joined by a strong representation from abroad, including Marcus Fuchs, Dermott Lennon, Peter Charles, Franke Sloothaak, Ludo Phillipaerts, Hauke Luther, Gier Gullikson, Francois Mathey Jnr and Helena Weinberg, recently the world's leading lady rider who ed to her home town of Sheffield for the Championships. With world class show jumping interpersed with exciting equestrian attractions, the British Open caught the imagination of thousands of equestrian enthusiasts. The Championships featured a revolutionary new class format which provided excitement throughout the entire show. Each performance hosted a top international show jumping class which carried qualifying points towards the championship class on the last evening. In PREMIUM category classes, the first placed rider received 70 points reduced by 2 points down to 12 points for the rider in thirtieth place. In the SECONDARY category classes, the first placed rider received 35 points reduced by 1 point down to 6 points for the rider in thirtieth place. The top twenty points scorers were eligible to compete in the Championship class on Sunday evening with the highest points scorer going last in the first round. Designed to produce an overall winner of the coveted British Open Championship title, the final class had a bonus of 240 points for the winner. It was a with lot of pride that the British public applauded ‘their’ own Robert Whitaker toping the board with a total of 465 pts. Markus Fuchs (Sui), Michael Whitaker (Grb)and Billy Tworney (Irl) came in second place with an equal total of 309 pts. In fifth place came Helena Weinberg (Ger) with 292 pts.
Equestrain Attractions:
The four attrcations consisted of The Household Cavalry Spectacular, Falconery on Horseback, the Scurry Driving Challenge and the Horseball European Club Challege.
The Household Cavalry Spectacular:
It was the first time that the Household Cavalry’s amazing display was performed at a major venue outside London. Specially choreographed for the occasion, the display was performed in an array of spectacular lighting effects, accompanied by vibrant music. Mounted on beautiful black horses and resplendent in their red and blue tunics, gleaming steel cuirasses and plumed helmets, the Household Cavalry captivated with their fast-moving intricate display. The Household Cavalry Spectacular is made up of twenty-seven serving soldiers from the squadrons of The Blues and Royals and The Lifeguards. The soldiers wear full dress, as used on all state occasions, and are joined by the four State Trumpeters, mounted on grey horses and the magnificent drum horse.
Falconery on Horseback:
From France came 'Vol Libre', Falconry on Horseback, featuring numerous birds of prey including falcons, hawks and even an eagle. It was the first time ever that a display of this type was performed indoors at a major UK show. The dexterity and agility of both man and bird captured the British public who could not have enough of the performance.
( Yahia Nazroo)