Tony Pearson completed a hat-trick of victories at this year’s Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show as the closing day swung into action.
Windsor-based Tony, one of the most prolific performers on the amateur circuit, won the Irish Horse Gateway CSI amateur platinum jump-off final.
It was another impressive performance aboard the ultra-consistent 12-year-old gelding Berlin, and concluded a successful week’s work in the Cheshire countryside.
Early to go among 15 combinations in the jump-off, Tony set a scorching pace, clocking 34.74 seconds.
For most of the jump-off, they were well clear of the field, but American challenger Ella Bikoff, riding Kec Havana, ensured a thrilling finish by closing on 35.31.
Ella took the runners-up spot, and third place was shared by Madison Mccrory on Up du Figuier and Bryony Holloway with Elton LV, who could not be separated on 36.60.
“We pulled it out of the bag today,” Tony said. “The horse is such a trier.
“I like to win, and I think he likes to win, so together we are all right.
“I was early to go in the jump-off, which suits me. If I watch a few others go, sometimes I will end up trying to tweak a few things and doing something stupid, so it suited me to be early on.
“I do my own thing, and if they beat me, they beat me. It’s a lovely show. To be here is great, and to win really tops it off.”
The ClipMyHorse.TV two-star speed class went to America’s Mimi Gochman with Avoloma BH in a time of 55.35 seconds, ahead of Laura Johnson and Euphoria Hst, while Ireland’s Vincent Byrne finished third aboard Pearls Princess Gervantus.
And further two-star action in the Castle Arena saw Laura Mantel land the Redrow Homes accumulator class, where riders collected points for each fence jumped up to a maximum score of 65, with quickest times then coming into play.
Berkshire rider Laura finished top of the pile with Muna Vd Bisschop, scoring 65 points in 51.12 seconds, being closely followed by James Smith on The Black Flyer and Kerry Brennan and Wellington M in third.
