Billington closes on place in final
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.Geoff Billington's quest for a place in next month's final of the World Cup for show jumping seemed to have been realised here yesterday, despite an early mistake on Virtual Village It's Otto in the World Cup qualifier.
That single error at the third fence ("It was the easiest one on the course," Billington said) seemed to have spoilt the Briton's chances. However, the tough course also took its toll on his rivals. With only five clear rounds, Billington finished equal sixth and earned a helpful nine points which lifted him from 21st to 16th place on the Western European League.
Billington is not quite home and dry, since there is one more qualifier to come at Gothenburg in two weeks' time before it is known which 18 riders from this league are entitled to compete in the Las Vegas final next month. John Whitaker is certainly through for Britain and Billington has probably done enough to join him. But Robert Smith needs to gain some more points in Gothenburg to secure his place.
Otto Becker, the German victor in yesterday's World Cup contest on Dobel's Cento, said that the big, technical course was the toughest he has encountered during the current series. He was not hurrying unduly when he went clear in the jump-off to defeat Beat Mandli, of Switzerland, on Pozitano. Helena Weinberg, the British-born German who finished third, would have beaten them both but for a mistake at the second jump-off fence on the wonderfully nippy grey Silwa Little Gun.
John Whitaker, who had failed to get beyond the World Cup "pre-qualifier" here, opted to ride Steps Helsinki in Saturday night's puissance. The10-year-old stallion, who will be his mount in Las Vegas, jumped three clear rounds before nudging a brick out of the 7ft 2in wall in the third jump-off to finish in third place.
As expected, Anky van Grunsven rode Gestion Bonfire to win the World Cup final for dressage for the fifth time in six years. Richard Davison, who was Britain's sole representative, finished a creditable seventh on Hiscox Askari.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments