The Brazilian show jumping team made history at Hickstead by winning the Prince of Wales Trophy for the first time.
Brazil has never won the FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain, but this year they were the clear winners of the historic two-round show jumping class, an impressive 10 faults ahead of everyone else.
In round one, Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (Sirene de La Motte) and Pedro Veniss (For Felicila) both went clear, while Pedro Junqueira Muylaert (Prince Royal Z Mfs) had just one rail. After discounting Yuri Mansur’s 12 faults, they posted a team total of four and were second behind last year’s victors, Germany, who were fault-free.
The Swiss were third with eight faults, and less than two fences separated Great Britain, Ireland, The Netherlands and France. Spain had a day to forget, clocking up 23 in round one and a further 28 in round two, leaving them in eighth place.
Things did go to plan for Germany in the second round: they dropped right out of contention, eventually finishing seventh. Brazil, however, produced three clear rounds and their final rider didn’t have to jump.
“Everybody did a great job. To win at Hickstead is something special,” said Pedro Veniss.
Yuri Mansur, who was the discount score in round one but went clear in round two on Babylotte, is having a good week at Hickstead, having already won yesterday’s Bunn Leisure Vase on Inferno.
Three clears from the Dutch riders saw them shoot up to second place with 14 faults, ahead of the Swiss on 16 and Ireland on 17. Great Britain, who haven’t won their home Nations Cup leg since 2010, were fifth on 20 faults, just ahead of France on 21.
William Whitaker was the strongest performer out of the British quartet today, collecting just one time fault in round one but leaving all fences standing with the 13-year-old stallion Utamaro D Ecaussines; while his uncle Michael Whitaker also produced two masterful rounds on Viking, ending with an unlucky four faults from round two.
Ireland’s Daniel Coyle won the Bunn Leisure International Stakes with the 11-year-old Simba De La Roque. Originally from Derry, Daniel is now based in Toronto.
For the second consecutive year, Allister Hood and Diamonds Are Forever won the Saracen Horse Feeds Supreme Riding Horse Championship. Diamonds Are Forever has remained unbeaten this season.
Daniel Carroll and Red Why Salute took the honours in the Supreme Working Hunter Championships; it was the heavyweight gelding’s first appearance at Hickstead.
