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John Whitaker is one of 6 riders through to the London GCT grand prix jump-off

John Whitaker goes through to the jump-off for the Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix - the only British rider to do so
Jennifer Donald Jennifer Donald

    • The legendary John Whitaker is the only British rider to make it through to the jump-off for the London Global Champions Tour grand prix at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. 

    Saturday’s Longines Global Champions Tour grand prix track set by Uliano Vezzani was long and flowing but caught out several combinations with its inside turns and imposing combinations with horses having to go full stretch to reach the back rails of some of the oxers.

    But six combinations crossed the line without faults to make it through to the jump-off on Saturday evening.

    We had to wait for the 11th rider to appear before Gregory Wathelet of Belgium, fresh from his bronze-medal winning performance at the Tokyo Olympics, jumped Faut-Il Des 7 Vallons, on her five-star grand prix debut, became the first to leave all the poles up.

    Nicola Philippaerts then made it two in a row for Belgium riding Katinga VH Dingeshof.

    Christian Ahlmann and Clintrexo made it three, this time for Germany.

    Then the red-hot Belgian squad added the fourth clear round of the evening, this time from Niels Bruynseels on Ilusionata Van’t Meulenhof.

    The individual silver medallist and team gold medal-winning Swedish rider Peder Fredricson gave us a fifth clear round in impressive style with the lovely grey Catch Me Not S.

    Then the cheers filled the arena as John Whitaker made sure there was a British representative when jumping a sensational sixth clear on Unick Du Francport.

    All six riders now jump-off to be declared the winner of the prestigious Longines grand prix at the London GCT.

    Among the British riders to drop out were Ben Maher (Ginger-Blue) and Holly Smith (Fruselli) while Alexandra Thornton jumped clear but later realised she’d exceeded the time allowed with Cornetto K to collect one time-fault.

    We’ll bring you all the news from the jump-off as it happens…

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    Jennifer Donald
    Jennifer Donald

    H&H showjumping editor
    Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.
    Jennifer Donald

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