Beezie Madden (USA) became the first lady rider to win the Longines King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead’s Longines Royal International Horse Show today (3 August).
The class was first opened up to riders of both sexes in 2008, but it has taken seven runnings of the prestigious competition for a female rider to claim the solid gold trophy.
“We were all jealous we didn’t used to get to do this class, so it’s a great feeling to win,” said Beezie, who with her 12-year-old gelding Cortes C was part of USA’s Nations Cup winning team at the West Sussex venue on Friday.
“I can’t believe what he [Cortes C] has done this week.”
From last draw, Beezie relegated Bertram Allen (Romanov) from Ireland, who turned 19 two days earlier, into the runner-up spot.
“It’s an honour to be here in this company,” said Bertram, who was joined on the podium by third-placed Marcus Ehning of Germany riding Plot Blue.
A field of 14 riders from eight different countries reached the jump-off and the other double clears went to Australia’s James Paterson-Robinson (Boris III), Shane Breen (Golden Hawk) of Ireland and USA’s Laura Kraut with the ever-improving mare Nouvelle.
Michael Whitaker was the best placed British rider in seventh as the fastest four-faulter with Amai.
Don’t miss all the news, reaction and photos from the King’s Cup and the rest of the Longines Royal International Horse Show in next week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine, out 7 August.
