Graham Lovegrove thrilled a huge Friday night crowd at Royal Windsor by clearing 2m on Valblanc Van Het Panishof to win the six-bar.
The show jumpers put on a terrific show, but by the fifth and final round only Essex-based Graham and Robert Whitaker — trying for his third win of the day on Finbarr V — were left in. Despite Robert’s best efforts, the big chestnut hit the final fence, but Graham and Valblanc never touched a pole en route to victory.
“I was really confident because he felt as though he loved jumping under lights,” said Graham, who will try John Taylor’s grey in his first puissance on Saturday night.
The two riders who were first and second in the opening young riders class swapped places today. Gemma Plumley produced a flying round on her grey mare Rendezvous and although Matthew Sampson and Otto tried their best, they had to settle for second place this time.
