Fine-tuned to the forecast for the jump-off, Michael Whitaker took the win in the Copa del Rey Corte Inglés Trophy in Madrid on Sunday. Michael wasn’t lucky in yesterday’s LGCT Grand Prix of Madrid, but today the British rider was back in business in this prestigious annual competition set at 1.55m.
With two clear rounds and an incredible time of 36.95 seconds in round two, Michael and the 14-year-old gelding Viking (Jacomar x Almox Prints) were the only pair to bring the clock down under 37 seconds and received the trophy from S.A.R Infanta Miss Elena de Borbón.
Christian Ahlmann’s performance in the jump-off aboard the 9-year-old Caribis Z (Caritano x Canabis Z) was also impressive, and the pair took care of the runner-up position with a time of 37.45 seconds. Third place went to Swedish rider Henrik von Eckermann on Sansibar 89 (Stakkato Gold x Wolkenstein II).
France's Penelope Leprevost finished fourth and and Germany's Andreas Kreuzer fifth.
Text © World of Showjumping // Picture © Oxer Sport/Manuel Queimadelos