GB’S GEORGE WHITAKER CLAIMS THE CSI2* 1.45M ACTIPH WATER TROPHY.

The first class of Super Saturday at the Longines Global Champions Tour of London saw Great Britain’s George Whitaker take pole position in the CSI2* 1.45m Actiph Water Trophy.

Riding the in-form “Peanut” , Whitaker stopped the clock in a quick 61.25 seconds, securing victory ahead of fellow Brit Tallulah Mackenzie Smith and Coyotte Pommex Z in second place. Third went to the UAE’s Ali Hussain Alnowais aboard Narcos VD Smidshoeve.

Going early in the order, Whitaker made the tactical choice to ride within Peanut’s strengths rather than chase risky turns:

“There were a few turns in there and I thought, I’m not actually going to do that. I’m just going to do what I know I can do with him - not taking him out of his comfort zone. He’s naturally fast, so I keep reminding myself not to try too hard on him. He really made it feel easy.”

With the class judged against the clock and no jump-off, Whitaker acknowledged the challenge of consecutive speed rounds:

“They’re quite difficult, especially when you’ve got to do two days of it. Sometimes you like to have a bit of a warm-up round, and I do think should I save him for the Grand Prix? I pick and choose what I do with him to keep him confident.”

Alongside Peanut, Whitaker is also campaigning a promising seven-year-old stallion this week, bringing him for valuable experience over the weekend.