Twomey takes Liverpool’s inaugural Grand Prix

Showjumpers normally enjoy some time off over the Christmas break, but this year they barely had time to slip into their festive onesies before pulling their boots and breeches back on for Liverpool’s inauguralfour-star show.

‘Unbelievable show’

The Equestrian.comLiverpool International Horse Show at the Echo Arena in the city’s Albert Docks attracted some of the biggest names in showjumping.

The show culminated in the Grand Prix on Sunday night (3 january) with Ireland’s Billy Twomey taking the title riding Diaghilev.

“I am really delighted,” Billy said. “It’s an unbelievable show here, and I have got some happy owners and some happy children tonight!

“I had a bit of a funny first day. I think all the horses were a bit too fresh during Christmas, and then they improved from there on in. It came off for me today.”

Emphatic win

John Whitaker set the pace producing a fast clear, however Billy shaved more than 1.5secs off his time for an emphatic win, which put John in second place.

Sweden’s Peder Fredricson was third riding H&M All In, with Robert Bevis (Courtney Z) taking fourth, Robert Smith (Bavi) fifth and Peter Charles (Stapleton Mist) sixth.

Billy also came close to winning the main class on Saturday night when Diaghilev produced the fastest time, but had the last fence down. This left William Funnell in first place riding his European Olympic gold medal-winning partner Billy Congo.

‘Horse of a lifetime’

“I wasn’t going to do anything daft tonight,” William said. “I kept everything tight and neat, and luckily it forced a few errors.

“He is a class act. His results speak for themselves. I have won a five-star Grand Prix with him, and he is a horse of a lifetime. It’s lovely to have a horse of that quality.”

Liverpool-born Peter Charles was second riding the promising Dauphin, while Irish rider Dermott Lennon finished third on Fleur IV.

Infallible Whitaker

It was a great show for the infallible John Whitaker, who was also on top form at the previous month’s Olympia Horse Show. The 60-year-old is enjoying his best form in years and 2016 is off to a flying start, after winning the accumulator class on Echo of Light on New Year’s Day.

Earlier in the day he came second behind Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano in the 1.45m two-phase class, sponsored by Harthill Stud.