What a Week for Sanne Thijssen! This morning, she already claimed victory in the 7-8-year-old class, and now she can also add the CSIO5* 1.50m win to her name. On a predominantly British podium, she managed to raise the highest flag.
The win went convincingly to Sanne Thijssen with the Zangersheide mare Cupcake Z (Chacco-Blue). Thijssen remained faultless in both the initial round and the jump-off, posting the fastest time in the decisive round at 34.58 seconds.
Second place went to Robert Whitaker with Gentlemen vh Veldhof (Quite Easy). They also delivered a double clear round, finishing in 34.95 seconds—just a fraction slower than Thijssen. Brother William Whitaker secured third place with Millfield Quickstep (Quiwi Dream), clocking 35.84 seconds.
German rider Laura Klaphake rode VDL Quizano van’t Merelsnest (Diamant de Semilly) to fourth place. She recorded a time of 35.94 seconds in the jump-off, placing herself among the British elite. The top five was completed by yet another Whitaker: Donald Whitaker guided the Holsteiner mare Ulania 3 (Uriko) to a faultless fifth place in 36.97 seconds.
James Whitaker claims second Queens title!
Some of Britain’s leading national showjumpers came forward for today’s JCL Insurance Brokers Queen Elizabeth II Cup, with 2018 winner James Whitaker taking the title for a second time.
It’s been a phenomenal few years for the Whitaker family at Hickstead, with British showjumping’s first family picking up many of the major titles at the showground. John Whitaker was on the winning British team at the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain in 2023 and 2024, his son Robert won the King George V Gold Cup in 2023, and cousin Donald took the same title in 2024. Robert was back at the top of the leaderboard in last month’s Al Shira’aa Derby, and now cousin James has won the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Cup thanks to a storming round on Just Call Me Henry, a horse owned by his dad Ian.
The JCL Insurance Brokers Queen Elizabeth II Cup used to be an international class open to women riders only, but in 2008 the rules were changed to allow both men and women to compete. Today’s renewal saw nine of the 29 starters jump clear in the first round, with James Whitaker making the most of his late draw to shave 1.43sec off leader Allana Clutterbuck’s time.
“It’s a great class to win. Some people are lucky enough to win it once, and now I’ve won it twice, so I’m very happy,” said a delighted James.
The rider was quick to give credit to his 10-year-old gelding Just Call Me Henry. “The only way he was going to knock a fence down was if I messed it up, and luckily I didn’t,” James added. “He’s been knocking at the door for a little while, and for the last couple of weeks he’s been jumping great.”
Marcus Westergren keeps Millie Allen from win
In the Unex Group Speed Classic, a 1.45m Speed and Handiness Millie Allen and Belgian bred, Quick Diamant HR (Diamant de Semilly) looked ready for their third victory of the week. Eventually it was Sweden's Marcus Westergren speeding to the win aboard Fellaini de Liebri Z (Faustino de Tiji). Millie Allen followed aboard her Belgian Warmblood mare while Germany's Rene Dittmer completed the stage aboard Echo vh Gerendal Z (Echo van 't Spieveld).
