Shane Breen and Royal Concorde galloped to victory in the International Welcome Stakes during the first day of international show jumping at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Shane told H&H: “I didn’t see many of the others go, but he’s naturally quick over the fences and I was able to take a stride out to the double.”
Graham Lovegrove was less than half a second in arrears on the diminutive Angel. Third place went to Accenture Young Riders’ Squad member Ryan Prater with Otage after a valiant attempt from a late draw.
Guy Williams set off flying on Skip Two Ramiro in the one round Land Rover International, but was pushed to the wire by Mark Armstrong on Sefana. Lacroix 9 and Robert Whitaker finished third.
“I knew I’d struggle to catch Guy, but I was certainly trying,” said Mark. “It’s good to come to an international show this close to home, and it’s a very enjoyable occasion.”
Daniel Neilson and High Tone Z won the first Accenture young rider class of the show with a dashing round from the final draw.
Nicole Pavitt and Maestro De Rend Peine set the early standard, before Ryan Prater shaved more than a second from Nicole’s time. However, Daniel was just too quick for them both, with the tightest of angles to the last fence.
“She was really quick from the double to the spread, and I saw a line from the big oxer to the inside edge of the next fence and took strides out,” Daniel explained.
David McPherson kicked off the show with a good win in the six- and seven-year-old classes on Maxim Trijol, while Wednesday’s prestigious Walwyn Novice Jumping Championship went to Simon Crippen with the six-year-old mare Couleur Amazing Grace.
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