British legend John Whitaker is still the master at Hong Kong Masters showjumping event
British stalwart aboard faithful horse Argento stays clear of the fences to win both the major events, adding the Grand Prix title to the Gold Cup
British legend John Whitaker stole the show at the 2015 Longines Hong Kong Masters on Sunday when he won the two big prizes, adding the main event, the US$700,000 Longines Grand Prix, to the Gucci Gold Cup he pocketed the day before at AsiaWorld Expo.
"He jumped three days and he did not touch a fence," Whitaker said as he gave the credit to his horse. "I think Argento likes Hong Kong. He is certainly in really good form."
I think Argento likes Hong Kong. He is certainly in really good form
At 59, the five-time British Olympic showjumper looks more like a country vicar than an elite athlete. But on board 13-year-old stallion Argento, Whitaker showed he still has the class to beat the best, among them fellow Briton and world number one Scott Brash, who had to settle for fifth on Hello My Lady.
In the jump-off for the top prize of US$231,000, Whitaker set a blistering time of 42.54 seconds and then watched "fingers crossed" the rest of the 13-strong field who had made the cut either self-destruct on an unforgiving combination of fences or settle for slower times.
"One always enters these competitions hoping to win but I didn't expect to win both the major events," said Whitaker.
He jumped for joy and pumped his fists when Marco Kutscher's horse Cornet's Cristallo knocked a fence down. The German, the final rider, had a better time than Whitaker - 42.37 seconds - but was hit with four penalties for that mistake.
