A total of 88 riders came forward for the final day’s Grand Prix, with many of British showjumping’s biggest names among the starters. But they faced a tough challenge in Kelvin Bywater’s course, and in the end almost one-third of the field failed to complete the first round, with the open water proving particularly influential.
But 10 combinations did produce clear rounds, ensuring a competitive jump-off against the clock. Yet Guy and his hugely experienced campaigner Rouge De Ravel made the most of their later draw to deliver a clear in a time of 42.48sec, with the pair taking some daring routes and making the most of the open space of the International Arena by keeping up a relentless pace throughout. Irishman David Simpson was the next quickest in second, but even his speedy partner Foudre F finished 2.5sec in arrears.
Williams was obviously on winning form, as he started his Grand Prix campaign by lifting both qualifying classes on Thursday – he won the first of the Al Shira’aa 1.40m Open classes on Mr Blue Sky UK, before picking up the afternoon’s class on the 16-year-old stallion Rouge De Ravel.