Equestrianism: Lampard rides her Dream round

Genevieve Murphy
Thursday 15 July 1999 23:02 BST
Comments

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.

DI LAMPARD gained her first victory in the Midland Bank Cock o' the North Championship on Abbervail Dream yesterday, with the horse jumping at his brilliant best for the closing contest of the Great Yorkshire Show.

First to go in the second and decisive jump-off between seven horses, Lampard put the pressure on those who followed with a wonderfully swift corner-cutting round on the Irish-bred horse with whom she is the main contender for the remaining place on the squad of five for next month's European Championships at Hickstead.

Robert Smith, who is already on the squad, made a thrilling attempt to defeat Lampard when he scorched round on the consistent Almare. Though he finished a split second faster, it was at the expense of a single error into the double of walls which form a traditional feature of this contest at the end of the jump-off course.

Lampard, who was runner-up in 1996 when beaten by 0.02 of a second by John Whitaker on Gammon, thought she was "going to be bridesmaid again" until Almare hit the wall.

Tim Stockdale on the good mare, Traxdata Wiston Bridget, was never a threat to Lampard. He elected to jump a deliberate clear round (as he had when fourth in the King's Cup at Hickstead last Sunday) and he finished as runner-up, some 15.11secs behind Lampard, with Smith in third place.

The Whitaker brothers, who have an enthusiastic following in their home county, were out of luck when riding some of their younger horses here yesterday. John, who was flying to the Dutch show at Geesteren yesterday evening, had the higher place when finishing seventh on the inexperienced chestnut Hague Flight Path.

Both brothers had a single mistake in the first jump-off - John with Steps Helsinki, and Michael with Prince of Wales. These two young horses looked impressive enough to have a bright future ahead.

GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW (Harrogate): Midland Bank Cock o' the North Championship: 1 Abbervail Dream (D Lampard) clear, 46.66secs; 2 Traxdata Wiston Bridget (T Stockdale) clear, 61.77); 3 Senator Almare ( R Smith) 4 faults, 46.20. Badsworth Stakes Hunting Competition: 1 Decoded (M Watson) 72.06secs; 2 Cappelo IV (T Newman) 75.79; 3 Irco Mirco (A Bell) 76.13. Thorite Junior Championship: 1 Capital Lisa (S Buckley) clear, 45.52; 2 Another Dollar (R Walker) clear, 45.60; 3 Squire Fox II (S Russell) clear, 48.85.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in