The prestigious 'King George V Gold Cup', the Grand Prix with jump-off, was on the program in Hickstead this afternoon. Many Brits had come to Hickstead to admire the spectacle with their own eyes and saw nine combinations jump a clear first round. A jump-off with nine had to provide a definite answer about the winner. The British of course secretly hoped for a British winner and got their money's worth: Robert Whitaker jumped to victory by jumping a clear jump-off in 56.70 seconds in the saddle of the only 10-year-old Vermento (by Argento). He was also the only one who could record a double clear round behind his name.
Pedro Veniss and Nimrod de Muze Z (by Nabab de Reve) jumped the fastest time (56.48 seconds), but a jumping fault put him in second place. Amanda Landeblad was the best rider and was allowed to take home the bronze. She counted on For Killy (by Otangelo) to jump a clear round in 59.82 seconds.
Francesco Turturiello (Made in't Ruytershof) and Fabio Leivas da Costa (Ilex) finished fourth and fifth.
Earlier today, Matthew Sampson secured a British victory in the Youngster Tour Grand Prix. He rode King Lepantino (by Arezzo VDL) clear through a jump-off with eleven and finished in 36.93 seconds. Nicole Lockhead Anderson and Conthargo PS (by Conthargos) took home second place. They recorded a clear round in 37.92 seconds. Shane Breen and Instrumental (by Qualdandro) completed the top three after a clear round in 38.08 seconds.
Harry Charles (Dunrou Quality) and Jessica Burke (Billy Be Boss) placed fourth and fifth.
Picture: Facebook Hickstead