Equestrianism: Whitaker adds to haul

MICHAEL Whitaker added a fourth victory to his successes at the German Nations Cup meeting when he won yesterday's Preis der Aachener Bank on Everest My Mesieur - the horse's third win at the most competitive show in the world, writes Genevieve Murphy from Aachen, Germany.

My Mesieur, a speed specialist, defeated the Swiss Markus Fuchs and Rosee de Pres by almost four seconds. John Whitaker was more than 22sec slower than his brother and in no hurry at all when he rode Milton to a quiet, clear round. Milton will face a more serious task in his next contest, Sunday's Grand Prix.

Jos Lansink, the winner of this year's World Cup final, later rode Olympic Concorde to win the Nordrhein Westphalen Preis. In the process he defeated the Olympic champion, Ludger Beerbaum, on Almox Rushed On. Michael Whitaker had jumped an initial clear on Twostep, but the horse took a splash in the water in the second round to finish 11th.

Ronnie Massarella, the British team manager, has chosen Michael Whitaker to go first on Everest Midnight Madness in today's Nations Cup.