Equestrianism: Whitakerslips to second

John Whitaker finished runner-up to the Olympic champion, Ludger Beerbaum, for yesterday's Nordrhein Westfalen Prize on the third day of the German Nations' Cup meeting. However, the placings would have been reversed but for Whitaker's mount, Everest Grannusch, slipping on a sharp left-handed turn in the jump-off.

The chestnut gelding lost a shoe during this final round, which was the probable cause of losing his foothold. The slip certainly delayed the Briton by more than the 0.79sec which was Beerbaum's winning margin for Germany on Sprehe Rush On.

After their poor form here on Wednesday, all three of the British contenders jumped clear in the first of yesterday's two rounds. Michael Whitaker finished 12th when Twostep tipped a rail off the last fence on his second appearance. Nick Skelton went through to the jump-off to finish seventh after Everest Sublime made a single error.

Skelton will be riding Dollar Girl when he goes first for the British team in today's Nations Cup. He will be followed by Geoff Billington on It's Otto, Michael Whitaker on Midnight Madness and his brother, John, on Welham.

Results, Sporting Digest, page 31