Equestrianism: The withdrawal of Milton irks British manager
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE NEWS that Everest Milton will not be competing at this month's European show jumping championships in Spain was relayed, via the British press here, to the team manager, Ronnie Massarella.
'I'm annoyed that nobody bothered to tell me first,' Massarella said, with understandable anger. 'You'd have thought that I should have been the first to know.'
Milton, the mount of John Whitaker, has not competed since injuring himself at Hickstead in May. 'I knew John was worried about him. If Milton went lame after the first round and had to be withdrawn, John felt he would be letting down the team,' Massarella said, 'But as far as I knew, he was taking Milton to Royan next week and making his mind up there.'
Whitaker will now ride Gammon, the winner of last month's Arnhem Grand Prix, in the European championships.
The team manager received the news during yesterday's Nations Cup, which was won by the hosts, France, after a hero's round in the jump-off against Germany from their world and European champion, Eric Navet, on Waiti Quito de Baussy.
Britain, aided by two smooth clear rounds from Nick Skelton on Everest Dollar Girl, shared third place with Switzerland and Belgium. David Broome, named as a reserve for the European team, came close to following suit. His only mistake came in the first round when Lannegan clipped the front pole off the last fence.
Mark Armstrong had two errors each time on Corella. Warren Clarke had three in the first round with Benjumin and retired in the second after the horse had caught and injured a front foot on the 10th fence.
NATIONS CUP (La Baule, Fr): 1 France, 12 faults, clear in jump off, 120.64sec; 2 Germany, 12, clear, 122.75; 3= Great Britain, Switzerland, Belgium, 20.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments