“Thankfully Jack didn’t get me today!” Joe Whitaker wins HOYS thriller
Joe Whitaker had cousin Jack hot on his heels as he rode Vagalenco GF to victory in the Dallamires Stables Cup on day three of Horse of the Year Show.
Just 0.15 seconds separated the cousins in a thrilling jump-off on Friday evening, with Jack and D&H Valmy De Le Lande finishing second as the class brought the day’s competition to a close.
Seven strong combinations from 26 starters progressed to the jump-off, with Max Routledge and Me The Rebel R.T completing the podium.
The result rounded off another successful day for the Whitaker family, following William’s victory in the opening Grandstand Welcome Stakes.
Joe knew he had left the door open for those still to come, particularly Jack.
“My horse has a very big stride, and he had a really good start to the round. He was very quick, but I knew that Jack was coming behind me and a lot of the other riders were fast as well,” he said.
“I thought I had just had a stride too many to the double coming home, but thankfully Jack didn’t get me today!”
Grand prix next for Vagalenco GF
The win confirmed Joe’s plans to contest Sunday’s Leading Showjumper grand prix with Vagalenco GF, who will have a rest day on Saturday.
“We were going to see how tonight went, and we will definitely go on to the grand prix now,” Joe said.
“He will have a day off on Saturday, and then we will start him in the grand prix. He felt really easy, comfortable and confident.
“We have been coming to this show as a family for years, and it is always great to ride here. It is what we do the sport for, and getting a win makes it absolutely fantastic.”
Saturday at HOYS: puissance takes centre stage
Saturday’s action brings another busy programme to the Andrews Bowen International Arena, with the Rees Family Cup scheduled for 2.20pm, followed by the Rees Family Accumulator at 5.25pm.
The evening also features the Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry of the Year Championship and The Price Family Supreme In-Hand of the Year Championship, before the Ripon Select Foods Puissance rounds off the sporting action at 9.10pm. With the famous wall rising between rounds, horse and rider combinations will put their power, precision and nerve to the test.