Nick Skelton from Alcester in Warwickshire has been competing at the 53rd Washington International Horse Show in America last week.
Partnering the ten year old bay mare Unique XVIII owned by Beverley Widdowson, Nick picked up third place in the Top Score competition on Thursday. Friday saw a win for Nick and Unique XVIII when they were the only combination to clear seven foot (2.13m) in the puissance.
But once again it was the talented ten year old grey gelding Carlo also owned by Beverley Widdowson who helped Nick to Individual Bronze at the Europeans last month that came out on top.
Having been announced as the best International Combination of the Year at the British Showjumping Awards on Friday Night Nick and Carlo did not disappoint in the 1.60m Grand Prix on Saturday. Jumping one of only four clears in the first round they were last to go in the jump off and the only combination to jump clear again picking up just two time faults to take the win.
For their victory, Nick and Carlo were presented with the President of the United States Perpetual Cup. Nick also won the Leading Jumper Rider picking up a Rolex watch and was named the Leading International Rider of the show.
Fellow British rider Scott Brash from Peeblesshire in Scotland also picked up several results through out the week finishing sixth in the Grand Prix. Scott was partnering Elizabeth Mctaggart’s ten year old brown gelding Bon Ami II and had just one fence down in round one.
Washington President’s Cup
Grand Prix
Saturday 29th October 2011
1st Nick Skelton riding Carlo – 0/2 in 46.32 seconds
2nd Brianne Goutal riding Nice de Prissey – 0/4 in 43.00 seconds
3rd Lucy Davies riding Nemo 199 – 0/8 in 39.74 seconds
4th Margie Engle riding Indigo – 0/8 in 40.41 seconds
5th Richie Moloney riding Slieveanorra – 4 faults
6th Scott Brash riding Bon Ami II – 4 faults
7th Laura Kraut riding Teirra – 4 faults
For more information and full results please visit the Washington International Horse Show website
Last Friday night saw 500 guests flock through the Hilton, Metropole doors for the 2011 British Showjumping Awards Ball, and what a night it was.
The evening kicked off with a champagne reception which played host to the Regional League presentations followed by a four course meal, awards and live entertainment.
The 2011 awards went to:
Best Pony Rider of the Year – Beth Vernon from Nottinghamshire
Best Rider Under 21 Years (On horses) of the Year - Lucy Guild from Scotland
Members Personality of the Year – Tina Fletcher from Oxfordshire
Riders Rider of the Year – Nick Skelton from Warwickshire
International Combination of the Year – Nick Skelton and Carlo from Warwickshire
Members Show Venue of the Year - Ingliston Country Club & Equestrian Centre
Members Annual Show of the Year – Cushionbed British Showjumping Scope Festival
Breeders Award – Brendon Stud
British Showjumping Coach of the Year – Alan Fazakerley from Manchester
Lifetime Achievement & Services to Showjumping – John Lanni from Cambridgeshire