Sunday’s Show Jumping Action, Liverpool International Horse Show
Show Jumping :: Everything Horse :: Liverpool International Horse Show, 2019
Sounds of crowds cheered long into the night in the halls of the M&S Bank Arena on Sunday to conclude the second day of top-class equestrian sport at this year’s TheraPlate UK Liverpool International Horse Show. Here’s a quick round-up of a few of our favourite show jumping classes of the day.
A Double Victory for Young Alfie
Ten-year-old Alfie Diaper completed a double victory at the Liverpool International Horse Show on Sunday. Just 24 hours following his Shetland Pony Grand National win, he teamed up with Will Fletcher to win the Mini Major Pairs riding Euro Magic.
The thrill-a-minute class saw winners and runners-up separated by less than two seconds! Alfie scorched around the track with his pony, and Will riding Tiger Bright, followed suit, giving them a combined time of 50.11 seconds.
Ireland’s Michael Pender and Saroise O’Neil finished second, while third place was filled by Anthony Condon and Eve McCoy, daughter of former multiple champion National Hunt jockey AP McCoy.
“My dream was to come here and win a rug, and now I’ve done that,” said a delighted Alfie.
And Will paid tribute to his partner, adding: “It was fantastic. It certainly happened very fast, and Alfie did an amazing job. The turns were amazing.
“It took me four years to win a rug here!! It’s fair to say Alfie has done very well.
“The turns were so tight for the pony riders. It was a really high standard, and we obviously had to go as quickly we we could, and it’s brilliant to win here and in front of such a great crowd.”
Lily Continues Run of British Success
Lily Attwood continued a run of British success by winning the Voltaire Design speed class. In front of a bumper crowd, Lily stormed to victory with Karibou Horta, clocking 58.19 seconds and collecting a winner’s purse of just over £4,000.
Lilly finished second in Saturday’s speed class behind Guy, but this time she was clear of the field. Ireland’s Daniel Coyle took second aboard Donjo in 59.51 seconds, being closely followed by Billy Twomey and Lady Lou in third, while Shane Breen and Clintofino was fourth.
“I saw Daniel go and I thought he was really fast,” Lily said.
“My horse is very naturally quick, so I went on a forward seven strides to the last, and it paid off.
“I have had him a year now. He is a nine-year-old, so he is still a bit inexperienced in these types of atmospheres. But he has really excelled himself and he is jumping phenomenally this week. I think he is a very good speed horse.
“I will do a 1.50m jump-off class with him on Monday, which will be the biggest class he has jumped. I have brought him along slowly this year, and he is really proving himself.
“I have learnt most of what I know from Guy this year, and to win a class here at Liverpool is fantastic.”
The Sky’s the Limit for Holly and Denver
British Nations Cup star Holly Smith showcased the quality of new ride Denver to end a thrilling day’s action at the TheraPlate UK Liverpool International Horse Show. Leicestershire-based Holly, a major candidate to make the Great Britain team for next year’s Tokyo Olympics, won a scintillating jump-off in the Horseware Ireland 1.50m class.
Ten combinations made it through to a race against the clock from 31 first round starters, but Holly and 11-year-old gelding Denver – a former eventer – proved a class apart. They clocked 29.66 seconds to land a top prize of £7,200, and provide further evidence of the horse’s rich potential.
Ireland’s Richard Howley finished second aboard Arlo de Blondel in 30.94 seconds, just one hundredth of a second in front of William Whitaker and Rmf Echo. Hailing Denver’s display, Holly said:
“He is an absolute freak of a horse – we absolutely love him to bits. He is so game and so athletic.
“I haven’t had him for long, but I don’t know what we would do without him. The sky’s the limit.
“I just hope that everything goes to plan and we both continue to enjoy our jumping, and apart from that, we won’t get too upset or excited. He really deserved this win and the recognition.”
Tickets are still available to purchase for 2019 Theraplate Liverpool International Horse Show, click here
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.