French double Olympian Patrice Delaveau made his first visit to the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) well worthwhile when he captured the leading show jumper of the year grand prix on the lovely mare Katchina Mail.
This was a tremendous performance from the mare, who was jumping in her first big grand prix, but she made a big course look very easy.
Last-drawn Tim Stockdale produced a crowd-pleasing round on Fresh Direct Corlato, but one extra stride to the last left him in second place.
I am very pleased because Katchina has little experience, said Patrice.
Mark Armstrong had earlier taken the speed horse of the year title with a stirring performance on Rex. They reduced the standard set by Ellen Whitaker and Cortaflex Kanselier by a fraction.
Despite missing out on the major honours, cousins Robert and Ellen Whitaker still did enough during the show to take the leading lady and gentlemen awards.
Read Horse & Hound’s full report on all the action from the Horse of the Year Show in Thursday’s magazine (11 October, ’07)
