Equestrianism: Popely zips past Whitaker again
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Your support makes all the difference.John Popely repeated the message he had delivered so effectively last week when he rode Luidam to win yesterday's Great Leighs Grand Prix, the final contest of the Essex International Show. This was the third fixture on the Golden Jubilee Tour, which also featured the Ridgewood International where Popely and Luidam had made their mark last week when defeating a fast clear round from 19-year-old Robert Whitaker on Karina.
Yesterday Whitaker, now riding Quinten II, looked determined to have his revenge. Second last into the jump-off, he flew round in what appeared to be an unbeatable time. But Popely, who has recently returned home after a nine-month stay in America, had no interest in second place. To shouts of "Come on Tiger" (Luidam's stable name) he charged round to defeat Whitaker by 1.6sec. The two riders will meet again next week in Chester, where the fourth and final show of the Jubilee Tour takes place.
Nick Skelton, showing his familiar flair, looked in less of a hurry when jumping the second of two foot-perfect clear rounds to finish third on Arko III. The eight-year-old is already being earmarked as a likely contender for the Athens Olympics and underlined those credentials yesterday. Skelton, who made his comeback earlier this year after breaking his neck in a fall, will be giving Arko his first taste of the big classes at Hickstead this month when he rides the stallion at the Royal International Horse Show.
Robert Whitaker elected to ride consistent mare Karina in the earlier Small Grand Prix, which he duly won with one of his usual whirlwind rounds, beating Harry Marshall from Ireland on Pakko, who had won a class here on Monday.
ESSEX INTERNATIONAL SHOW (Great Leighs): Golden Jubilee Tour – Great Leighs International Grand Prix: 1 Luidam (J Popely, GB) clear, 48.67sec; 2 Quinten II (R Whitaker, GB) clear, 50.27; 3 Arko III (N Skelton, GB) clear, 53.44. Small Grand Prix: 1 Karina (R Whitaker, GB) clear, 44.18; 2 Pakko (H Marshall, Irl) clear, 44.67; 3 Marleen (T Stockdale, GB) clear, 45.66.
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